TDap and the Flu shot

JocelynB0911 · July 2013

We may have went over this awhile ago in a round about way I think so here we go again.

I have received the tdap shot and will be getting the flu shot just as I do every year. I didnt start getting yearly shots (flu shot) like that until my autoimmune disorder was discovered and its better for me to have it than not. Now that we have kids we all get it, no questions asked.

Since the twins will either (God willing) be late term preemies or full term but on the small side DH will be going in to get his Tdap since he works with the general public but I started thinking about his parents. I am going to talk to my MIL about it in a few hours but they will be spending a lot of time helping out and I worry that they could pass something on to the boys and not even know it.

Do you plan on asking the people close to you to get the tdap and be updated on their flu shots since our babies will be born at the start of flu season?

ETA for clarification: people close to you that will be helping with the baby. Not just people that you will casually see.

michelle7482 · July 2013

I'm not, I got the flu shot I think in Feb but that's it. I ask people to wash their hands before handling the baby and our family and friends are courteous enough to not come over if they are sick. I'm not worried about it. DD1 was born in Feb 2012 and has never been sick other then 2 or 3 little colds.

IrishPiratess · July 2013

nope. Im not asking other people to shell out the money for that shot. It's not cheap at all. Our neighbor made EVERYONE who came near the baby at all get it. And it was like $150/shot.

If they aren't feeling well, they shouldn't be near the baby. I will ask everyone to just wash their hands and be sensible about things.

JocelynB0911 · July 2013

IrishPiratess:
nope. Im not asking other people to shell out the money for that shot. It's not cheap at all. Our neighbor made EVERYONE who came near the baby at all get it. And it was like $150/shot.
If they aren't feeling well, they shouldn't be near the baby. I will ask everyone to just wash their hands and be sensible about things.

I edited it for clarification. I should have said people that are close to you and will be helping with the baby.

I think my paranioa if you will, comes in from DS getting something passed on to him when he was 3 weeks old and I was running to the doc every other day due to him having breathing issues, coughing spells, and when his lips would turn blue from lack of oxygen when he would have a ocughing fit they shipped us off to a bigger hospital and put him in the PICU. He was 6 weeks at this point but it was beyond scary to not know if your LO was going to pull through or not. I dont ever want to go through something like that ever again.

MAB27 · July 2013

I've asked my parents and my husband's parents to get the shot. I just provided them with the CDC information my doctor gave me. My mother received the shot when my niece was born 2 years ago so she's already all set.

Surfergirl013 · July 2013

I asked my parents to get it as well as the flu shot, and my MIL as well - they are flying in from Africa, and I am not taking any chances...

SweetPeaK26 · July 2013

Nope. We don't get them, not going to ask anyone else to. My dad works at a nursing home and is required to, but otherwise no one in my family ever does.

I take that back. Dd1 got a flu shot once, and got a horrible flu a week later. Last time for her! Lol. It seems to run in my family though. Several people in my extended family have gotten the flu shot in a previous year and then got the flu really really badly about a week later.

wlux · July 2013

I will be getting the shot before the baby is born and I have asked my ILs to do the same.

They didnt take my request well but I rather be safe than sorry.

My cousin's daughter was back in the hospital 17 days after she was born. That's enough for me to take those precautions.

Shanmarie1083 · July 2013

My parents will be getting the flu shot, as they always do. They live 5 minutes from us and spend a lot of time with our kids. I won't ask anyone else to get it though, there really isn't anyone else that spends considerable amounts of time with them though.

And for the people who said "oh well no one will come near the baby if they feel sick", this is a silly argument. The flu incubation period is anywhere from 24 hours to up to 4 days. A person can be completely contagious and feel perfectly fine. I know we can't protect them from every little germ, but if someone is going to have prolonged exposure to your child, I don't see the harm in asking them to be up to date on their shots.

Pockety · July 2013

I had my parents and inlaws get the TDaP vaccine before DS was born, 2 years ago. So they don't need a booster now.

I can't imagine paying 150 for it. It's available at any Walgreens or CVS quick care clinic, or covered by insurance. I don't think anyone paid more than 30 for it. I would do it again for sure!

And we all get flu shots anyway. So that's not a concern of mine. We'll all get them when they're available, and then the baby will get hers at 6m, assuming they're still dispensing them in March.

tittytwistertortoises · July 2013

With DS number one who was born in January, I asked people who wanted to come over to get the shot. We have a huge family and I wasn't one bit upset if they couldn't get it and couldn't come over. Our doctor recommended it and being a FTM, I did what she said. This time around won't be a problem with TDAP because most of the people, especially grandparents, already have had it. I also plan to offer to pay for the grandparents to get flu shot when it comes around because they will be watching DSs when I go back to work part time.
I think it is very important, especially TDAP and I think if the person will be interacting with baby a lot, the person should it. It's a requirement in this house for sure.

rachelstauf · July 2013

My parents, brother, and MIL will all be getting the Tdap and probably the flu shot as well. My DH doesn't have insurance, but the Tdap is only 1440 depending on a sliding income scale at the health department. We will for sure be getting him the shots as well!

RunningGal900 · July 2013

Yes. We had the grandparents and my sister get it last time. I will be asking them all to get their flu shots on time this year as well. No one cared...or if they did they didn't say anything to be

ssublett09 · July 2013

My mom is going to be helping watch LO and he offered to get it and I told her it wouldn't be a bad idea. You can never be too protected right?

LilPez · July 2013

My MIL is awesome and took it upon herself to get the tdap shot before I even asked! Now trying to get FIL who is deathly afraid of needles and 73 yrs old to get it...
I just plan to ask him if it's worth protecting his first born and only grandchild, should do the trick!!

strlitemiss · July 2013

I'm in an area where pertuss outbreaks happen ..and get worse.. every year, so I kindly explained the danger to the baby if he got sick and said if you want to frequently visit I need you vaccinated to feel comfortable.

magdalina.h · July 2013

Nope. My inlaws are Lucas' primary daycare and they did not get the Tdap. Actually now that I think about it, my parents didn't either.

eyris · July 2013

My parents already got their TDap shots.

My dad went to the doctor and my mom came with him and they told the doctor they were going to be grandparents. The first thing the doctor told them was that they should get updated on their TDaps, so they did it right there that day.

database6 · July 2013

I mentioned to my parents, sister and in laws that the doctor recommended them getting the Tdap and Flu vaccine, and if they get it that would be great, but I am not making anyone. Insurance covers these vaccines.

I will ask my childcare provider (a nanny) to get vaccinated, and will pay for any expenses she has related to those. Me and DH will be getting both as well.

ETA: I actually got my Tdap yesterday at my appointment.

mello13 · July 2013

I was just talking to my OB about this at my appointment this morning. She suggested we have the grandparents get the flu shot and Tdap, because they will be seeing the baby multiple times a week, and work with the general public as well. I already mentioned at the beginning of the pregnancy that they should consider getting the flu shot, or plan on not seeing the baby. Now that the doc has stated outright that they should get it (they can easily go to walk-in or their primary care doc for it) as well as tdap, I will let them know when it gets closer to d-day.

DFico21 · July 2013

Yes, as far as the TDap. My doctor confirmed there are whooping cough cases in our area and truthfully our crew isn't the best about staying away if they are sick. I sent our immediate families an emial with the link to the CDC info and let them know that they need to do this if they plan on coming to spend time with the baby in the first few months. Half of them have already got it and the rest all said no problem. This is the first baby on either side so I let them know they only need to do this once. As far as the flu shot, all of them get it every year anyway.

ksf13 · July 2013

I've asked my family to get both. They live 7 hours away, but LO and I will most likely be going to visit for a while once DH deploys again (whenever that may be). My parents all work with the general public and my two sisters are in high school, so I don't want something passed on to her that could be prevented. They are grown, so they can handle a little shot

lol

Zmommy2 · July 2013

My mom and step dad will get the flu shot, and to be honest I didn't really think about the tdap until yesterday when I got it at my appointment. I need to make sure DH gets both, he's gonna love that one. But yes, I think I will be asking my parents and all of the inlaws who come stay for Christmas to get it. Maybe it will deter some of them from coming.. Joking, kind of.

Juicy71 · July 2013

DH and I will get both shots and I'm going to ask my mom to get both shots as well as she is coming to stay with us when the baby is born. I'd rather be safe than sorry.

bexsd · July 2013

DH and my mom already got the TDap. I asked my in laws and my sister to as well.

staceymack · July 2013

Wow, we are always thinking about the same topics. I have been thinking about this week and plan to ask my OB tomorrow. In the preemie note post I posted on the preemie board of reply had a note that got into this a little bit. I also plan to ask the neonatal doctors when this time comes. DH, his parents and I get the flu shot anyway. I feel that it'll be recommended that those coming in contact with preemies have the flu shot, as well as pertussis and possibly others. Preemies can be immune compromised for 2 years.

ETA: I talked to my BFF, who is a NICU RN, about it today. She said her neonatologist say flu and tdap for all family coming into contact with preemies. Keep in mind flu & rsv season will begin shortly after we're home from the hospital.

Marley629 · July 2013

I have mentioned it to those I know will be around my son the most but I can't really make them get it. My SO hates shots but I give him the whole "I'm delivering a watermelon out of lemon speech" and he changes his tune so he will be getting both this year. As far as his parents I can only mention it and hope they get it but can't really force them. I will however follow the wash your hands before you touch him school of thought.

OpheliaChem · July 2013

Yes! We asked all three sets of grandparents to get a Tdap, as NONE of them are up to date on their vaccines. So far, their insurance will cover the vaccines. Not sure about DH's parents but they've all said that if insurance doesn't cover the vaccine, they will get it at Walgreens or CVS or whatever.

As for flu shots, I haven't thought that far ahead, but I guess I should since I got my flu shot in September last year. I will probably suggest that they get a flu shot but I won't demand it like I am the Tdap. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think the pertussis poses more of a threat than the flu as flu symptoms will render someone stay-at-home and pertussis, if its a mild case, can seem like just a cold and a grandparent might still feel like they can come visit LO. In general, if I hear coughing, I'm asking that person to GET OUT!

Zoly1103 · July 2013

We have asked our immediate family members to get the TDaP vaccine and offered to pay for my SIL's shot since she doesn't have insurance.

I doubt we will ask everyone to get the flu shot, but I'm not 100% on that yet. I get it every year anyway and have told my husband he needs to get it this year.

starinyte · July 2013

SweetPeaK26:
Nope. We don't get them, not going to ask anyone else to.

This applies to us as well when it comes to the flu vaccine. From some bad personal experiences, we no longer get this vaccine in our household, and I certainly wouldn't ask others to. (Although both my mom and DH's parents still receive it annually, so it's a moot point for us.)

This is our third LO and our doctors (OB, and my DDs' doctor, and DH's general physician) have never even mentioned Tdap to DH and I as necessary precautions. I feel like I've been living under a rock because I honestly had never even heard of this vaccine until I saw it discussed here. (am I really the only one?) I plan to research it thoroughly myself and then talk with my OB before determining if DH and I should receive it.

If DH and I do decide to receive it, we will ask others close to us to educate themselves on the vaccine and make their own determination. I will not make that choice for others.

michelle7482 · July 2013

starinyte:
SweetPeaK26:
Nope. We don't get them, not going to ask anyone else to.
This applies to us as well when it comes to the flu vaccine. From some bad personal experiences, we no longer get this vaccine in our household, and I certainly wouldn't ask others to. (Although both my mom and DH's parents still receive it annually, so it's a moot point for us.)
This is our third LO and our doctors (OB, and my DDs' doctor, and DH's general physician) have never even mentioned Tdap to DH and I as necessary precautions.  I feel like I've been living under a rock because I honestly had never even heard of this vaccine until I saw it discussed here. (am I really the only one?) I plan to research it thoroughly myself and then talk with my OB before determining if DH and I should receive it.
If DH and I do decide to receive it, we will ask others close to us to educate themselves on the vaccine and make their own determination. I will not make that choice for others.

It's never been mentioned to me by any doctor either.

KMD1106 · July 2013

MAB27:
I've asked my parents and my husband's parents to get the shot. I just provided them with the CDC information my doctor gave me. My mother received the shot when my niece was born 2 years ago so she's already all set.

That's a good idea to provide them with the CDC info. I think I'll do that when I ask my parents and MIL to get the shot.

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