thread: Whooping cough vaccination

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  1. #1
    BellyBelly Life Subscriber
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    Jan 2006
    Port Macquarie, NSW
    1,443

    There is currently an epidemic going on in the North Coast of NSW, which is why there is a big drive on at the moment to vaccinate, in particular older adults and parents. The reason is that immunity to pertussis (the whooping cough bacteria) wanes over time.

    That said, there are a few things to keep in mind. Whooping cough requires a period of close contact to spread - it isn't spread through casual contact and it won't spread from members of the public. It usually spreads through households because of the amount of close, intimate contact. Our paediatrician (the one we see of the girls, not the ones I work with ) has never seen a case with less than a few hours of close contact.

    Having said that, it is also worth keeping in mind that the most infectious period of whooping cough is the first week, before the cough even starts. It starts with cold and flu-like symptoms, so it can be very hard to police contact in family members.

    Best of luck with your decision.

  2. #2
    Registered User

    Dec 2008
    Brighton, Brisbane
    277

    Thanks so much girls.
    I'm getting DP, his parents and my parents to get the shot.
    Basically anyone who is going to be spending alot of time with Peanut.
    My little sisters and brother are 17, 10, 6, and 4. Should i talk to my mum about possibly getting their booster shots done too?

  3. #3
    BellyBelly Life Subscriber
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    Jan 2006
    Port Macquarie, NSW
    1,443

    You could consider it with the 17 year old. The others are probably young enough to still have their immunity from their childhood courses.

  4. #4
    Registered User
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    Jan 2005
    cowtown
    8,276

    Can you have it while breastfeeding?
    I just rang the local council and they dothem for $37 for adults, they said I can have it after I've had bub but they werent sure whether I could have it while breastfeeding and would call me back...
    So does anyone know?

  5. #5
    Registered User

    Sep 2008
    South West Sydney, NSW
    2,454

    Ok, so I am thinking I should get people in my family and DPs family to get the vaccine but don't want to appear like the overbearing new mum who hasn't even had the baby yet but is demanding that people get the vaccine... not that anyone will tell me that is what I am being to my face but I can see lots of raised eyebrows in my future if I were to mention that I think they should get the vaccine...

    My questions are:
    * When should they have it to maximise their cover? Ie if they had it now would that be ok or should they leave it until later in the pregnancy?
    * lol what would be the most convincing way to tell them about this without sounding like the new mum to be who thinks she knows everything

    Thanks in advance

  6. #6
    Registered User
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    Jan 2005
    cowtown
    8,276

    I told DH he was having his as soon as he can be booked in. Im actually really nervous about the possbility of not being allowed to have it, becuase I've just realised I never had the dip-tet booster in high chool either, I was on ABs at the time and never had it, so I porbably have no immunity to any of them. I looked upthe GSK leaflet onthe boostrix vaccine, which is what our council use, and it says "seek medical advice" if breastfeeding as they cant say whether it passes in to breastmilk or not

  7. #7
    Registered User

    Sep 2008
    South West Sydney, NSW
    2,454

    Rayray, I had something in High School but I think it was just the rubella... will have to look for records. I hope that you can get some advice as to whether you can have it or not (but fingers crossed you can)