@saraking437 The flu shot is different each year. There are so many strains of influenza they do research to determine which strain they think will be most prevalent each year and that is the one they put in the flu vaccine. Unfortunately, their predictions are just that. Last year was a very bad prediction and there were so many more cases of the flu because they predicted the wrong strain and therefore, the flu shot was pretty ineffective.
Some people do get slight reactions to the shot itself though. Personally, I have never had a reaction, but some people get aches and pains or sore arm from the shot.
@saraking437 the thing about the flu vaccine is that it is based off of what doctors THINK will be the prevalent strains of flu in an upcoming season. It doesn't protect against all of them, which is why this last winter's vaccine was a bit of a bust. I know that is not reassuring when you get sick, but there is an explanation
@saraking437, I would have known nothing about Tdap, had it not been for those commercials back in 2010 when I was pregnant for the first time. It was with the mom and the baby coughing her lungs up. I was like WTF is this craziness?!?! My doc never said a thing about it until I asked. Go figure.
Thanks for the info! It's just so crazy that when I got the vaccine, I got sick. It just makes me nervous that it was a reaction and that I'll get the reaction again...while pregnant, or about to give birth, or while caring for a newborn. One more thing to for me to worry about I guess I better get used to all the worrying though; I hear these little ones bring lots of that on.
I was told that I have to get a tdap at my next appointment in 2 weeks. I just had one in 2011 when a rat took a chunk out of my finger. I didn't think I was due again until 2021 but according to my doctor they recommend that every time you get pregnant you get your tdap again.
I have no idea if my fiancé is up to date though. I'm guessing he is as he goes to his doctor every year for a physical.
I was told that I have to get a tdap at my next appointment in 2 weeks. I just had one in 2009 when a rat took a chunk out of my finger. I didn't think I was due again until 2019 but according to my doctor they recommend that every time you get pregnant you get your tdap again.
I have no idea if my fiancé is up to date though. I'm guessing he is as he goes to his doctor every year for a physical.
Make sure your fiance is indeed up to date. My husband goes for his yearly physical as well and hasnt had a shot since '03. Better to be safe than sorry
I'm in the same boat as some of the pp's...same ob as I had with dd (she'll be two in September) and they never mentioned it to me with her. They did ask at the hospital about it but I didn't get it as I wasn't informed about it at the time. Planning on getting it this time for sure and asking dh to as well as we both will be working in schools.
Thanks for the info! It's just so crazy that when I got the vaccine, I got sick. It just makes me nervous that it was a reaction and that I'll get the reaction again...while pregnant, or about to give birth, or while caring for a newborn. One more thing to for me to worry about I guess I better get used to all the worrying though; I hear these little ones bring lots of that on.
It takes a full two weeks to build immunity after the flu shot, so if you are exposed to flu just before or after getting the shot, you will still get sick
Also, if you are exposed to a strain of the flu that wasn't in the vaccine, you will still get sick. Influenza mutates crazy fast! There are soooo many strains, all with the ability to mutate, so there is never ever going to be a fail-proof vaccine for flu, just one that will protect you from the best guess strains.
As someone who has had pertussis I'm so glad to read this thread. That disease is no joke and it almost killed me,I could not imagine a poor baby getting it! I had never even heard of it before I got it and it was scary.
I might be over the top but with my sons asthma and respiratory issues, I won't let DD near anyone who smokes or is not vaccinated. We spent a week with our son in the hospital with a virus similar to whooping cough and it was so scary for my husband and I, that I just don't want to go through that again. I take vaccinations and not being around those who smoke a lot more seriously.
I'll get the booster when the time comes. My family including all grand parents are vaccinated. I think it's one of those things you just don't think about as a grand parent, but they were all happy to oblige.
Both my kiddos are up to date and I'll be checking with my doctor for mine he hasn't mentioned as of yet. I know my mom, brother and sister-in-law are because they made it a point to be vaccinated when my niece was born less than a year ago. My husband I'm not sure about because he is immunocompromised so we will need to check with his doctor
Thank you a million times over ladies for this awesome post. A couple of weeks ago a mutual friend of me and my husbands had mentioned vaccines she had just gotten while pregnant to her husband. DH was relating this message so it wasn't clear, as it was a conversation held between two first timer dads. So he didn't remember extensive details. I was confused to say the least, but I am so happy to know now and to note and ask the docs! We live out of state from our immediate families so I will be making sure everyone who visits is up to date.
Re: Tdap vaccine for mom (and dad)
I have no idea if my fiancé is up to date though. I'm guessing he is as he goes to his doctor every year for a physical.
Edit: corrected the year I had my tdap
Also, if you are exposed to a strain of the flu that wasn't in the vaccine, you will still get sick. Influenza mutates crazy fast! There are soooo many strains, all with the ability to mutate, so there is never ever going to be a fail-proof vaccine for flu, just one that will protect you from the best guess strains.