Parents getting flu & whooping cough vaccines?

Antania23 · October 2011

I know this is all a personal decision and it all depends on your beliefs about the vaccine/pharmaceutical industry however now that DH and I are parents, we are thinking differently. DH and I never get flu shots and we are lucky to have strong immune systems and never get sick. DS's pediatrician is highly recommending us both as parents to get both the flu shot and tdap (whooping cough) vaccines so that we are not carriers and can't pass anything to DS.

I am EBF so DS gets lots of immunities from my milk however it's now flu season and DS is only 1 month old. We are completely torn about what to do because we really do not want to get the shots but at the same time, I would never forgive myself if I got DS sick knowing he has very little immunity to fight off anything.

Your thoughts? BTW, DH and I are fighting over this issue because I'm being more open to the shots and he is pretty adamant about NOT getting the shots.

TIA!!!

mjune3881 · October 2011

Both DH and I got the flu vaccine. I got the whooping cough vaccine during my hospital stay. I don't really know what the arguement is for not getting it. The concern for us is that even if we don't show signs of being sick, we could still be carriers and get DD sick.

lwogsland · October 2011

We both got the flu shot and tdap vaccine..for us, it's about our baby and not about us anymore..so we're just doing whatever we can to protect him. (plus i work in a hospital, and dont really want to bring the flu home to him if i can possibly avoid it)

globalwife · October 2011

DH and I never got it previously but we did this year.

finally2006 · October 2011

What is your reason for not getting it?

Antania23 · October 2011

Also, are the shots okay for breastfeeding mommies or do I ask for a certain vaccine for EBF mommies?

SoxFan777 · October 2011

lwogsland:
We both got the flu shot and tdap vaccine..for us, it's about our baby and not about us anymore..so we're just doing whatever we can to protect him.

This exactly. DH and I both got both. I even made my mom get the Tdap... She didn't want to get the flu shot, though, and I didn't push it.

MelissaS5338 · October 2011

We got both in our house as well. And yes, it is okay to BF after receiving them. I asked to be sure and she said it would even be good for her.

Chunstad · October 2011

I got it. There was a local baby who died recently from whooping cough. That was enough to scare me.

Cass&Derek · October 2011

I got the Dtap in the hospital, and will get the flu. I just kinda forgot about DH, but I guess we'll have to talk about this, as I'd like him to get it, at least the Dtap.

julieb00lie · October 2011

DH and I did not and are not getting either vaccines (probably for the same reason your hubby does not want to). DS will get the dtap vaccine at his two month check up.

Geekchick921 · October 2011

I'm getting my flu shot at school in the next couple weeks. My husband needs a physical and he'll be getting one then.

I may tell DH to ask our doctor about a pertussis booster as well. I started medical school this year and had to have titers drawn for the things we were all vaccinated for as children, including pertussis, and my immunity is still very good.

In general, I don't get sick often (like you two, pretty good immune system) but believe me when I say you and your kids WILL start passing germs back and forth, especially if you send LO to daycare. I'm with you and your pediatrician. Get the flu shots.

Liz4444 · October 2011

DH and I had not gotten flu shots in the past. This year, we both got them and the TDaP, so did both sets of our parents and his sisters.

What is your and your husband's reason for not wanting to get them?

Mereou12 · October 2011

I see no logical reason (barring medical issues like allergies) not to get the flu/pertussis vaccines. In fact, I think it's downright selfish of new parents if they don't vaccinate themselves to protect their innocent babies.

It's my job to protect my child. So I got both vaccines, and so did DH. It's a no brainer to us.

WheeLinTheSky3 · October 2011

I normally do not get flu shots but DH and I both did this year and we both got the Petussis vaccine as well. I cant risk giving my own child an illness that could cause him to be very sick or even be fatal. Just isnt worth the risk to me. My ILs also got the Tdap vaccine. The vaccine is pertussis, tetanus and diptheria. Youre supposed to get a tetanus shot every ten years anyway so why not get it?

tiffandjames · October 2011

I got the tdap vaccine in the hospital. DH got it maybe a week or two after our daughter was born at one of our appointments at the Health Dept. The nurses there were adamant about making sure we both were vaccinated.

As for the flu shot, DH got his over the summer while he was at AT (he's in the army), I have not gotten one yet. I need to, I want to. I would never forgive myself if she was to get sick from something that we could've prevented by getting vaccinated for it.

toriwc · October 2011

DH, myself, and both sets of grandparents all got our flu shots and pertussis boosters. I don't understand why educated people don't.

Stephiehun · October 2011

We both got both vaccines. I've never gotten the flu and I'd like to keep it that way.

I don't understand people who don't take these simple steps to protect themselves and their children.

CateB95 · October 2011

I agree with PP. DH and I got both vaccines as did the grandparents. Babies can die if they get whopping cough. I feel better knowing we have minimized his exposure. Also, I got the flu about 10 years ago and got really sick (including a cough that lasted for months). I've gotten the flu shot every year since and never caught the flu again.

gymnst1013 · October 2011

Antania23:
Also, are the shots okay for breastfeeding mommies or do I ask for a certain vaccine for EBF mommies?

Yes they are safe. Our pedi gave me the flu shot and I got the tdap the other night at Walgreens. Both said they are safe for bfing

Wildloulo · October 2011

For years I was adamant about not getting the flu shot and then my daughter got the flu. I was clueless for a long time and though of the flu as the stomach virus that causes vomiting and diarrhea but that is not it at all it is all respiratory and it is dangerous. My daughter was 5 years old when she got the flu and within 24hrs of contracting it she was hospitalized with a pulse ox of 72 normal is above 90 and she stayed in the hospital for 7 days in icu on oxygen and if I would have just opted everyone got the flu shot that year she wouldn't have suffered the severe lung damage she did and have to be on inhalers for the rest of her life. Now every year we get flu shots as soon as our Dr's office gets them in I will never make that mistake again!!!