My Dad Won't Get TDAP :(

Carebella · October 2014

My dad saw his doctor today and checked when he had his last TDAP shot, May 2012. His doctor said he thinks there are risks for him having the shot again "so soon" and that he shouldn't get it. From all my reading and research on the subject it's not an issue for him to get another shot but it certainly is a risk for him to see the baby before LO is 6 months old without being current (within a year). I'm SO pissed at his doctor and horribly heartbroken thinking it will be 6 months before he meets LO. The plan was for my mom to be here all of November and my dad and brother to come out for Thanksgiving week. It would certainly rule out us going to my family and friends in WA for Christmas.

Is there research I'm missing? He doesn't meet any of the "don't get if" criteria. And I hate the idea of risking the babies health. Am I being overly cautious? I HATE shots and avoid them at all costs but will be getting the flu and TDAP myself. I'd rather see him skip the flu shot and he gets that every year when there are plenty of studies that question it's effectiveness.

Help please

Edit to add- if there is a real risk to him getting the shot again... I don't know how to go forward. Is waiting 6 months the only safe option?

lizzielu82 · October 2014

From what I understand, the shot is good for about 10 years so if your dad just got it in 2012 he should still be covered.

abbyful · October 2014

If he got the shot in 2012, he's current. You are overreacting demanding him to get another shot.

Maelara · October 2014

The tdap has a longer life than a year. You need to trust your dad and his doctor. There is very possiblely something going on with your dads health that he doesn't want you to know. I understand wanting to protect your child but letting your dad be around your LO is important too. Your dad still has protection from his last tdap

in my unmedical opinion, I think it will be just fine.

sweetbabyrahe · October 2014

Agree with pp, I think shot is good for 10 years. They ask expectant mothers to get it again to pass on some immunity to the baby I believe. I don't plan to restrict access to my child based on shots either, just be cautious and wash hands like crazy.

bunnyray · October 2014

From what I understand if you get the vaccination while pregnant your baby gets the antibodies that you produce which provides protection for him/her.

Regardless, the tdap vaccination is good for 10 years so your dad is well covered.

fyreandblood · October 2014

I had my last one 3-4 years ago and my OB wants me to get it again because of the way new shots are constructed (he also wasnt there administering said shot, etc), but if your dad's doc said no, then no need to worry or be angry at the doc. He probably knows the details about your dad's last TDAP shot. Plus only certain doctors are going to the every year rule. Everything's okay! The doc is doing his job!

jac409 · October 2014

I agree that you are overreacting a bit. The shot is good for ten years. Just make sure people wash their hands and don't hold the baby if they are sick and it will be fine. I got mine today, even though I had one just a few years ago. My doctor recommended it for me in order pass on the immunity to the baby, not because I wouldn't still be protected myself.

missnacholover · October 2014

StacyMarie33 said:

I have never asked or even inquired about family members vaccines. I never restricted anyone from seeing DD and I don't intend to for this LO either. Ensure people wash their hands. I understand wanting to protect your little one but this is certainly a bit much.

A lot of folks on here are requesting that family members get vaccines, myself included. I don't think it's a "bit much", I am protecting my child.

That being said, if folks don't get vaccinated, I'll make sure they aren't around the kid when they are sick. And with everyone, I'll be requesting hand washing.

Maelara · October 2014

missnacholover said:

StacyMarie33 said:

I have never asked or even inquired about family members vaccines. I never restricted anyone from seeing DD and I don't intend to for this LO either. Ensure people wash their hands. I understand wanting to protect your little one but this is certainly a bit much.

A lot of folks on here are requesting that family members get vaccines, myself included. I don't think it's a "bit much", I am protecting my child.

That being said, if folks don't get vaccinated, I'll make sure they aren't around the kid when they are sick. And with everyone, I'll be requesting hand washing.

I'm going to disagree here. It's one thing is ASK people to get their vaccines up to date and it's another to DEMAND it. I would not take kindly to someone demanding I do something to my body. It's still my body and I would be very angry on principle alone. I asked my family to update their vaxs when I was pregnant with N and left it at that.

absolutelymaybe · October 2014

Everything PPs have said. Trust the doctor -- no, not Dr. Google.

ETA: I don't even know where you are getting your Dr. Google information from, actually. Everything I find (including the CDC website) recommends it every 10 years. Unless I really can't math, 2012 is less than 10 years ago.

2ndGeneration · October 2014

While I am not getting the shot myself, it is your right as the parent to require anyone to get it, to be near your baby. It's not wrong, it is your parental choice.

That being said, with him having gotten it just a few years ago, and his doc not wanting him to have it again-he very likely poses NO risk to your baby, especially if handwashing is observed, and of course use common sense and he not come around if even mildly ill in any way. Pertussis is spread by direct contact with mucus or droplets from the nose or throat of affected individuals (according to dr google) so as long as he doesn't spit or sneeze on baby he is a minimal threat.

howin23 · October 2014

I see where you're coming from. My docs (whom I trust) also said that any family who will be holding the baby often in the first few months need to get the shot again within 6 months before the birth. My whole family is complying willingly.

The idea of it being bad to get it again seems odd to me. What if your dad stepped on a rusty nail? Would he get it again? My dad (who is a surgeon, so reads up on medical stuff) was up to date on the TDAP, having gotten it only a few years ago, but recently stepped on a rusty nail and the hospital gave it to him again just as a precaution. He called from the hospital to say he was all set to meet baby

.

As an aside, I live in MD and just read in our local paper that of the 26 middle school students who have come down with whooping cough in the last month, every single one was up to date on the vaccine. Given that my county requires the booster before 7th grade, that means most of them (7th and 8th graders, not 6th) had gotten it within the last two years. Yet they still got whooping cough (most of the kids caught it at some camp in Pennsylvania). I'm concerned that it's mutating, hence the vaccine isn't working. Sorry for the negativity, but on a positive note, that means a new shot for your dad might not help that much anyway.

jj0313 · October 2014

It's a personal decision but my approach is to ask my family to get updated and if they do, wonderful, if not I will take normal precautions. I figure it's not realistic for me to ask every person that comes in contact with the baby for the first 6mos if they've been vaccinated and it would be really unfair to keep baby from my family when I'm not necessarily holding everyone to the same standard.

That plus all the previous advice you got about the shot lasting 10 years, you passing on immunity, etc. don't sweat it, mama-this baby can't live in a tube.

kayd8 · October 2014

I'm no doctor, but my MIL got one last year (she forgot and only found out at her recent appt when she asked for it) and we are okay with that. I don't feel I can try to override someone's doctor on what is good for that person. I'm looking at this request as good for everyone's health this winter, not just for my baby's.

MrsG1019 · October 2014

It's good for 10 years so you're good! DH got his last TDAP in 2009 & altho he was still up to date, she recommended he get it again since he's of course gonna be near baby daily. Sounds like your dad is covered -- no need to worry.

mockingjay1 · October 2014

If he got it in 2012 you should be good. I would definitely feel comfortable letting him come visit.

missnacholover said:

StacyMarie33 said:

I have never asked or even inquired about family members vaccines. I never restricted anyone from seeing DD and I don't intend to for this LO either. Ensure people wash their hands. I understand wanting to protect your little one but this is certainly a bit much.

A lot of folks on here are requesting that family members get vaccines, myself included. I don't think it's a "bit much", I am protecting my child.

That being said, if folks don't get vaccinated, I'll make sure they aren't around the kid when they are sick. And with everyone, I'll be requesting hand washing.

I agree with @missnacholover. We are having babies born during flu/rsv/cold season, and I want to protect my baby as much as I can. Sure if you're a random visitor coming for a short time, I'm not worried about your vaccine status. If you're a grandparent who is going to be spending an extended period of time with the baby, I am going to ask you to get your flu and tdap vaccines (if you aren't current). If you don't want the vaccines then you won't be spending an extended amount of time with baby. Personal preference, but I don't think it's a bit much either.

fyreandblood · October 2014

I'll ask my doc on Monday, but apparently the update rules depend on the area and doctor, since they were changed THIS YEAR. He told me that the NIH (i'm in the dc area, so shit gets real with the NIH) requires women who are preg to get it with every pregnancy, even if they're 9 months apart, to pass immunity and because shots are made weaker now or something. He pushed the whole visitors and people around the bb get it with each bb too thing, but whatever. Ten years stands.

I don't want to get an updated shot tbh because i'm still within the ten years, but might as well. Still annoying that things keep randomly changing, esp since my mom has lupus AND cancer and her immune system is shit, so i won't be asking her to update her vaccines because she will get very sick. -_- i'm personally not a fan of demanding people get their vaccines updated, but i understand why new parents would, esp with every bad virus, including freaking polio, making a comeback.

mander82 · October 2014

I am asking DH to get the shot...but no other family members. I won't stop them from holding or seeing the baby. If they are sick, then obviously they wouldn't be hanging around a newborn anyways.

manders9479 · October 2014

I am insisting my husband get both vaccines and my childcare provider, but other than that I don't really feel right trying to enforce other family members to get vaccinated. I'm suggesting it, but if they don't I won't be limiting their time with my child. To be honest the only time I'll be concerned is during Christmas because my DHs family is huge, and there's no way they are all getting the flu shot, so I'll just be demanding hand washing before touching baby. Or maybe I'll baby wear most of the day.

MrsDL · October 2014

If you read up on this and talk to a pediatrician or your OB - while DTaP is "good" for 7 to 10 years (varying opinions on this) - that actually isn't all components, it's more the tetnus part and they'll still give it to you if you injure/cut yourself and can't tell them definitively if you've had one much more recently than 10 years.

I was told they recommend the booster about every two years or so IF you are going to be in close contact with an unimmunized infant (CDC website recommends dads, grandparents, etc.). This is because the Pertussis part (the part that puts an infant most at risk) looses strength over time. Is it exactly two years, or 3, etc. I don't think there are actual studies and this is a "be safe not sorry" approach as in the US we are seeing an increase in Pertussis.

DH had one in May 2011 so he got another one for this baby. To the OP - your dad did have one in May 2012 so that is within the two years and he'll be fine. Personally, if the grandparents or dads or others who are going to be around the baby a lot haven't had one in close to 10 years, it's not a sure thing they will be immunized from Pertussis. My daycare requires providers in the infant room to get a booster every 2 years.

Lilwatz · October 2014

I've said this on a past thread, but I agree that requiring a vaccine is unreasonable. Requesting, sure. And withholding the ability to hold your child if they refuse--also a choice you can make. But I fully believe that a vaccine is a personal medical decision and cannot be forced on anyone. I am vaccinating myself (my OB does the Tdap after birth in the hospital and says the benefits do not pass which is against everything else, but whatever I follow what he says so I am good with it). My husband is vaccinating. But past that, it's not my call.

missnacholover · October 2014

I think you guys may be mis-reading my comment. I'm requesting, not requiring folks to get TDAP and flu shots. If they don't, their choice. However, if they don't, I can also choose to say, "Hey, I'm not comfortable with you being around my kid for a long period of time". Their body, their choice. And My kid, my choice.

OP - FWIW, my sister was pregnant in 2012-2013 and got her TDAP then and I'm A-OK with that.

lincoln79 · October 2014

OP - I think that the year time limit is for the pregnant woman only. A pregnant woman gets it to create antibodies in her body to pass on to the baby.

Other family members just need it within the last 10.

MH got his three years ago and he isn't getting another one. It is up to date.

mrsodonnell12 · October 2014

howin23 said:
I see where you're coming from. My docs (whom I trust) also said that any family who will be holding the baby often in the first few months need to get the shot again within 6 months before the birth. My whole family is complying willingly.

The idea of it being bad to get it again seems odd to me. What if your dad stepped on a rusty nail? Would he get it again? My dad (who is a surgeon, so reads up on medical stuff) was up to date on the TDAP, having gotten it only a few years ago, but recently stepped on a rusty nail and the hospital gave it to him again just as a precaution. He called from the hospital to say he was all set to meet baby .

As an aside, I live in MD and just read in our local paper that of the 26 middle school students who have come down with whooping cough in the last month, every single one was up to date on the vaccine. Given that my county requires the booster before 7th grade, that means most of them (7th and 8th graders, not 6th) had gotten it within the last two years. Yet they still got whooping cough (most of the kids caught it at some camp in Pennsylvania). I'm concerned that it's mutating, hence the vaccine isn't working. Sorry for the negativity, but on a positive note, that means a new shot for your dad might not help that much anyway.

It's not mutating. The vaccine, like every single other vaccine, is not 100% effective.

MrsDL · October 2014

missnacholover said:

I think you guys may be mis-reading my comment. I'm requesting, not requiring folks to get TDAP and flu shots. If they don't, their choice. However, if they don't, I can also choose to say, "Hey, I'm not comfortable with you being around my kid for a long period of time". Their body, their choice. And My kid, my choice.

OP - FWIW, my sister was pregnant in 2012-2013 and got her TDAP then and I'm A-OK with that.

I agree - the issue being discussed isn't about "forcing" vaccines on people. How exactly do you do that? It is a personal choice. I don't hear anyone suggesting they hold a gun to a relative's head and force them to get DTaP boosters and flu shots at the door. People who feel strongly about this have requested it. Family members can turn it down. However it is mom and dad's choice to request somebody who doesn't want to be vaccinated (and who will be around the baby a lot) to keep a distance until baby can get up to date.

howin23 said:

I see where you're coming from. My docs (whom I trust) also said that any family who will be holding the baby often in the first few months need to get the shot again within 6 months before the birth. My whole family is complying willingly.

The idea of it being bad to get it again seems odd to me. What if your dad stepped on a rusty nail? Would he get it again? My dad (who is a surgeon, so reads up on medical stuff) was up to date on the TDAP, having gotten it only a few years ago, but recently stepped on a rusty nail and the hospital gave it to him again just as a precaution. He called from the hospital to say he was all set to meet baby .

As an aside, I live in MD and just read in our local paper that of the 26 middle school students who have come down with whooping cough in the last month, every single one was up to date on the vaccine. Given that my county requires the booster before 7th grade, that means most of them (7th and 8th graders, not 6th) had gotten it within the last two years. Yet they still got whooping cough (most of the kids caught it at some camp in Pennsylvania). I'm concerned that it's mutating, hence the vaccine isn't working. Sorry for the negativity, but on a positive note, that means a new shot for your dad might not help that much anyway.

mrsodonnell12 said:

I see where you're coming from. My docs (whom I trust) also said that any family who will be holding the baby often in the first few months need to get the shot again within 6 months before the birth. My whole family is complying willingly.

The idea of it being bad to get it again seems odd to me. What if your dad stepped on a rusty nail? Would he get it again? My dad (who is a surgeon, so reads up on medical stuff) was up to date on the TDAP, having gotten it only a few years ago, but recently stepped on a rusty nail and the hospital gave it to him again just as a precaution. He called from the hospital to say he was all set to meet baby .

As an aside, I live in MD and just read in our local paper that of the 26 middle school students who have come down with whooping cough in the last month, every single one was up to date on the vaccine. Given that my county requires the booster before 7th grade, that means most of them (7th and 8th graders, not 6th) had gotten it within the last two years. Yet they still got whooping cough (most of the kids caught it at some camp in Pennsylvania). I'm concerned that it's mutating, hence the vaccine isn't working. Sorry for the negativity, but on a positive note, that means a new shot for your dad might not help that much anyway.
It's not mutating. The vaccine, like every single other vaccine, is not 100% effective.

I'm in the county over - it was thought that this is a new strain not impacted by the vaccine according to the MD Dept of Health and CDC. Vaccines are not 100% effective for several reasons, but one of those reasons is both viruses and bacteria DO mutate to develop resistance to vaccines (viruses) or abx (bacteria). There were a few theories on this case, but this is one they are still investigating. So yes - it is theorized that this is the result of a mutation which caused a new strain resistant to the vaccine.

kemb0001 · October 2014

My doctor only recommended that I receive the Tdap to provide immunization to the baby. They never stated I should ask family members to get it as well. The only immunization my doctor recommended family should get is the Flu vaccine since LO will be born during Flu season. I don't plan on restricting anyone from seeing LO.

jac409 · October 2014

In case anyone wants to read the actual CDC recommendations on TDAP, here is the link...https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd-vac/pertussis/tdap-pregnancy-hcp.htm

morrkim · October 2014

I asked my OB when they gave me mine if DH needed to. They said no since he got it in 2012 too.

kimberly_ann81 · October 2014

I'm not asking anyone to get the Dtap. Unless they will be around baby a lot I'm not worried about it. I'd make sure daycare providers are current but that would be it.

Marciab30 · October 2014

From what my ob told me that the only people who really needed the tdap were the people living in the house with the baby. Not my in-laws visiting. And the tdap last quite a while before needing a booster shot. Try not to worry. Should be good. They want the mother to have the shot to pass on some immunity since baby can't get the vaccination for a year.

jaminjeff · October 2014

I just spoke to my OB about this two days ago. My parents watch DS and they'll watch this one too. The OB said he wants me to get it again but other than that the other three caregivers (DH and my parents) are fine since they got it in 2011 when DS was born.