Vaccine Question...

Lindsayloring1 · September 2013

I called my OB the other day to find out if they would be able to give me my pertussis booster and a flu shot at my appointment on Monday, and I was told that they do not administer flu shots nor do they feel the tdap is necessary... Um, 'scusey... isn't pertussis a serious concern for the time of year that we will be delivering our babies?

For those of you whose OB's do not give the pertussis vaccine - can you please tell me where I can get one? This may sound really dumb, but I am one of those who is not an annual flu shot getter, so I don't know if this is something as simple as going to a Walgreens... TIA!

Lindsayloring1 · September 2013

The LVN also called it "HOOPING cough" which I thought was hilarious... I will ask OB directly when I see him on Monday

Thanks ladies!!

rbtrumpet · September 2013

Walgreens/CVS and your PCP at good places to start, but also check out the department of health where you are too. I found out my county gives TDap to pregnant women and their husbands FOR FREE! :-D

I did some calling around, my parents county does them for $7 for family of pregnant women, and MIL's county is $10!

cagoldi · September 2013

Walgreen's and CVS Minute Clinic have it. I just called CVS and was told OOP cost is $64.99.

DH went to his doctor today and they told him that Tdap is on backorder and isn't expected until at least November.

I called the County Health Department and no one is going to do it for him since we have insurance. I even told them we're fine with paying out of pocket but they won't accept anyone if they are insured.

So to CVS he will go....

babymama619 · September 2013

Walgreens or your GP. Get the pertussis vaccine.

cagoldi · September 2013

@shelbster25 - good point for clarification, thank you. : )

I should have said our OOP cost is $64.99 as he will just be billed as a cash patient; DH has an HMO that is not contracted with the CVS Minute Clinic. I doubt many HMOs would cover it. But if you have a contracted PPO they will bill your insurance so your cost could be much less depending on your deductible and coinsurance.

3Dewdrops · September 2013

CFox815 said:

I just talked to my OB this week about this and he seems to think I should wait until after I deliver at the hospital to get Tdap. I know this has been talked about to death but now I'm torn. He has no specific reasoning behind it, it's just what he recommends. I'm getting my flu shot at the local doctor's in 2 weeks, maybe I will talk to them and see if they will administer it.

I'm tempted to wait on advice from my doctor too. Her thinking is that it would pass into breastmilk better than through the placenta. Who knows.

ETA: Umm, Scratch that. I found out my copay for immunizations covers however many immunizations I get in that visit so I decided to do both flu shot and pertussis today. And then...they turned out to be free. Cheapness wins I guess.

lafsalot · September 2013

My doc office gave me one today, nurse explained the benefits even though I was already prepared to say yes. I would rather pass those antibodies on to baby than take the chance. Health depts are a great place to check and you primary care physician.

hologram87 · September 2013

I asked about the flu shot yesterday at my dr's appointment and they did not have them in yet. He told me I could go to any flu clinic and get one as long as I asked for the one that was preservative free. When I was pregnant with DD, I got the flu shot at Target and they had the preservative free. I'm going to call them and see if they have that again this year, otherwise I will call my general practitioner to see if they are having a flu clinic.

hollowway · September 2013

I got the TDAP shot, bit I had to ask for it. They offered the flu shot (why one and not the other I don't know) but it always makes me sick so I declined.

I would ask your regular doctor about it if you really want it.

babymama619 · September 2013

CFox815 said:
I just talked to my OB this week about this and he seems to think I should wait until after I deliver at the hospital to get Tdap. I know this has been talked about to death but now I'm torn. He has no specific reasoning behind it, it's just what he recommends. I'm getting my flu shot at the local doctor's in 2 weeks, maybe I will talk to them and see if they will administer it.

If your doc doesn't have a specific reason I'd go with the CDC recommendation, they do have specific reasons.

[Deleted User] · September 2013

I got both the flu shot and the Tdap at Walgreens. While our insurance would not pay for them through the pharmacy, we can send in claims to the insurance and they will reimburse us, so that's also something to look into.

lafsalot · September 2013

My OB said that the college of obstetrics and the cdc recommend between 20-36 weeks having the tdap booster. I found the cdc website info online but the other I have as a handout from his office.

babymama619 · September 2013

lafsalot said:
My OB said that the college of obstetrics and the cdc recommend between 20-36 weeks having the tdap booster. I found the cdc website info online but the other I have as a handout from his office.

What's interesting about this recommendation is it is for every pregnancy. Meaning a layperson gets the booster every ten years. Women with multiple pregnancies during that same period are recommended to get it every time. Meaning if you got it 2 years ago when you were pregnant, you still need it again. I think that also points to how important it is to get while baby is still inside.

ranaverde · September 2013

babymama619 said:

What's interesting about this recommendation is it is for every pregnancy. Meaning a layperson gets the booster every ten years. Women with multiple pregnancies during that same period are recommended to get it every time. Meaning if you got it 2 years ago when you were pregnant, you still need it again. I think that also points to how important it is to get while baby is still inside.

Yes, that surprised me too. I had the booster around January on my doctor's advice, so I didn't expect to have another so soon. But my husband had pertussis a few years ago, so I really want to avoid it, as it was horrid.

liamsmommy74 · September 2013

I just got the flu shot at work because it's required and if we don't get it by the end of Oct they will fire you! But I believe my OB doctor offered to give me the Tdap last time except I had already gotten it while in the L&D for an issue I was having. If I hadn't gotten the flu shot at work my OB would have given it to me.

Lindsayloring1 · September 2013

Thanks everyone for the responses!! I have always fully intended on being vaccinated... I just thought it weird that OB didn't recommend it. I appreciate all the input, and will definitely be looking into a few different avenues!

Kakes9 · September 2013

I was just at CVS on sat. and i got the flu shot and they offer the TDAP, my doctor did tell me tho that i would be getting TDAP at the hospital.

ashleeyo23 · September 2013

My OB and my general doctor both wanted me to get the TDAP - they even urged that both sets of grandparents get it too - if they are going to spend a lot of time around the baby. Call you general healthcare provider, that's who gave me mine...

RosePN · September 2013

I got mine at RediClinic @ HEB. They should also have them at the minute clinics at CVS or Walgreen's. Usually insurance covers it as a preventative service which you'll only need to pay your Co-Pay. If not, they quoted me a cash price of $75. The shot will leave you sore for days though. My husband got his on the arm 5 days ago and its still sore. I chose to get mine on the hip so its only sore if I run into something.

We won't be getting our Flu shot until mid- October. I was advised to wait until then because Flu season hasn't really started yet even though places are already offering the Flu shot. The Flu shot has a limited time of coverage though, so if you get it too early, you might not be covered into early next year which is why I was told to wait until mid-October to get it.

candeb · September 2013

My OB said we can get it at our regular physician or Walgreens, he said anywhere you can get a flu shot should also do the TDAP. He did say that if we hadn't gotten it by delivery they can do it in the hospital when delivering as well, but it will probably cost more.

hdg002 · September 2013

Definitely check with your general practitioner. And make sure your insurance will cover it so you don't have a major out of pocket expense. If your insurance covers it then you can get it at CVS or Walgreens as well. I can't believe your OB doesn't give it. IT'S RECOMMENDED BY THE CDC!

LoveOfMikesLife · September 2013

Hang on, so if I got the Tdap shot last July I need to get it again? Dang, where have I been. Thanks ladies that would have gone right over my head. What about DH and grandparents?

JaneW2 · September 2013

CFox815 said:

I just talked to my OB this week about this and he seems to think I should wait until after I deliver at the hospital to get Tdap. I know this has been talked about to death but now I'm torn. He has no specific reasoning behind it, it's just what he recommends. I'm getting my flu shot at the local doctor's in 2 weeks, maybe I will talk to them and see if they will administer it.

Your OB is working on out of date information, the CDC changed its policy a year and a half ago and he's not listening. Getting the shot after delivery will not do the baby any good, get it now. If you wait until delivery, by the time the antibody spike gets into your breast milk, the most vulnerable time will already have passed, even assuming breast feeding works for you.

A few years ago, when pertussis was rare, the shot wasn't so important for newborns. Now with the outbreaks all over the place, the real risks of pertussis outweigh the hypothetical risks of the shot.

UFSara · September 2013

Absolutely get your flu shot and Tdap booster before delivery. You may want to consider asking grandparents and other family members and caregivers to as well. Adults and adolescents are the ones who typically pass on pertussis to infants who can't get vaccinated until 2 months (earliest 6weeks). Adolescents get their Tdap booster at age 11.

Lindsayloring1 · September 2013

So, after calling literally EVERY walgreens, CVS, costco, and numerous pcp's in the DFW metroplex, there is only ONE within a 65 mile radius that has a few doses left! Apparently it's on national back order or something. I threw quite the fit with the CVS minute clinic people and they managed to dig up 2 doses for me and DH. now, we did have to drive 30 miles to get it, but I didn't care. I am glad to have that piece over with! So- PSA if you live in DFW and need a tdap, the minute clinic at cvs at east main and angel parkway in Allen had 7 doses left when we were there yesterday afternoon. Ready, go!! :bz

Maimes10 · September 2013

My OB told me that it's best for us to get the shot at the hospital. Apparently some of the shots that pharmacy's give include a preservative that is not recommended for pregnant women...just another thing to think about.

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