Whooping cough vaccine?

hecallsmecat · March 2012

I occasionally lurk/post on June 2012 since it's my new baby's BMB, and everyone was posting last week about getting the whooping cough vaccine either in their 3rd trimester or in the hospital after the birth. They were also saying that they would insist on anyone who is going to be near the baby in the first few months getting the vaccine too. This includes husbands/so's, in-laws, etc.

I was just wondering if any of you did this when your babies were born. I have never heard of this being a concern so I was thinking that maybe it was only in the US and they don't recommend it here in the UK or in Ireland where my baby was born. But then I thought that I have worked with babies in the US for years and never heard of this so maybe it is just a really recent thing. I'm going to ask my midwife when I go next month, but I was just wondering if it was a concern for any of you.

FunNSunAZ · March 2012

I got the pertussis vaccine about a month after DS was born. DH and close family have all indicated they would get it but haven't yet. Your post reminds me that I should remind them.

s00z · March 2012

I got the TDAP vaccine while I was in the hospital. DH never got the vaccine, though they recommended he should.

pettycrocker · March 2012

No we never did get around to it, but I remember the midwives and pedi's kept telling us too right after LO was born. I do think it's important if you live in an area where it is active and widespread.

ghostof5letters · March 2012

My parents, husband and MIL got it right before/after Piper was born. I got mine 6 months before I was pregnant by my GP

tawillers · March 2012

I got the booster while I was still in the hospital after DD2 was born.

My son actually tested positive for pertussis in late January. It was awful - the coughing, the quarantining, the reporting. Thank goodness the girls and I had been vaccinated. DH wasn't offered the booster in the hospital but he ended up testing negative for pertusis. We were all treated for it anyway.

jk4ever · March 2012

I think it is important. Here in the states the TDAP vaccine as pretty common, it includes pertussis and tetanus. Pertussis isn't something you want to mess around with for a LO. Plus, since it vaccinates like 3 or 4 things its pretty easy. I was already current on mine because I broke my finger slamming it into a car door a few years ago, and since it broke the bone and the skin, they said I needed it. It is recommended to get the vaccine every 10 years.

SarahKate31 · March 2012

I got the booster in the hospital after DS was born. DH had gone to his PCP to get it a few weeks before. I read that it was important for primary caregivers mostly so we didn't ask our other family members to get it though it wouldn't have hurt.

Deblondie1 · March 2012

I got the vaccine after DD was born. She was almost 4 months early so they really pushed it. DH had already gotten his in preparation for his deployment.

FWIW I insisted that my family get the vaccine before they came out last Christmas. I know in CA it's a pretty big deal.

Amitchell0626 · March 2012

I'm in New Brunswick Canada and they do it here too. Dh got it just before DD was born and I got it in the hospital. Right now there's a big out break in some neighbouring cities

LnR70707 · March 2012

My hospital gives it to all mother's prior to discharge. DH got it before DS was released from the NICU. My parents already had their vaccines and DH's parents were limited close contact anyway because MIL smokes.

Mrs.Leah.Maria · March 2012

I got it with DS1 before I discharged. At my urging my Mom got it as well, but my DH still hasn't. It's very important to me though and you're reminding me that I need to get on him.

There have been a few outbreaks in the states lately and unfortunately one of closest friend's friend lost her son due to Pertussis at 10 weeks old: story here.