Asking people to get whooping cough booster before they visit new baby

[fromscratch]

In our area and surrounding areas there is currently a Whooping cough outbreak. We are due to have our baby in May 2012 and I don't want our newborn exposed to Whooping cough.

We had a friend who's 7 week old died due to whooping cough and just don't want that to happen to our child.

So would it be unreasonable to ask all visiters if they have had Whooping cough booster and if they haven't turn them away? Not at the door but on the phone when they call. ANd if they turn up then turn them away.

[Heaven]

Not unreasonable at all

[Bloom]

I think that sounds reasonable to me. I asked all grandparents, aunts, uncles and close friends to have the booster well before hand. While I didn't ask others if they had the booster, my friends are all sensible enough not to visit if they are sick at all and also we only let those who we knew had the booster hold DSs.

[Bloom]

And can I just ask what HG stands for in your signature???

[HotI]

Not unreasonable to ask, but some people may not agree with your stance. Just as long as you are ok with that.

[Trillian]

Not unreasonable to ask, but some people may not agree with your stance. Just as long as you are ok with that.

I agree with this. You can ask, but that is all you can do. You cannot expect them to actually do it. And if they don't you need to respect that.

[Phteven]

It seems fair to me to ask people who haven't got up to date vaccinations to stay away.

[Junglemum]

I think you are well within your rights to ask people who wish to see the baby to have the booster if that is how you feel. If they don't want to then that is certainly their right, and they can wait until the baby is a bit older before meeting them.
It may offend/upset some people, but i can totally understand your concern if a friend lost their baby to WC. If you explain the situation to them they are more likely to understand your motivation to ask.

[Nai]

I agree with this. You can ask, but that is all you can do. You cannot expect them to actually do it. And if they don't you need to respect that.

And in return they should respect that they won't be able to visit the baby. I would simply let people know now (and in light of what happened to your friend's baby I think your concerns are reasonable) and they can choose what they want to do. FWIW we had a whooping cough outbreak locally and I saw first hand 2 children and an adult deal with it. I had the booster as there was no way I wanted myself or my girls to go through that!

[Trillian]

And in return they should respect that they won't be able to visit the baby.

Definitely!

[fromscratch]

I was thinking for those that didn't want to reveal their booster update then I could insist that they wear Dr's masks over their mouths and noses.
HG stands for Hyperemesis Gravidarum Help HER - Hyperemesis Education Research
I'm not fussed if others are not OK with not getting the booster but in light of my GF's 7 week olds death I rekon "no booster, too bad so sad" they'll have to wait till baby is fully immunised which is 6 months if we stick to schedule.
I'm thinking my Baby my rules!

[Just Me]

Not unreasonable at all ... if they are parents to a newborn themselves, then the vaccine is free otherwise it is only $40. Thought you might appreciate that info too if you didn't know already

[Babyluv]

Perfectly fine, it's not worth risking your Childs health for the sake of offending a few ppl. Ppl should be understanding anyway. I made everyone in our family get the vaccine.

[surprised]

At the risk of sticking out on my own here, I actually would be offended if someone asked that of me, and I do think it's unreasonable to do so. People may have good reasons why they don't want the booster - actually, they don't even need a good reason - in this country, vaccination is not compulsory.

HOWEVER... I can totally understand where you're coming from, having walked a very difficult journey with your friend. So if that's what you want to do, as the parent of your baby you are perfectly entitled to make that rule. Just be prepared for people to be offended, and work out a response that doesn't inflame the situation eg "I'm sorry you are upset, but please understand after knowing a baby who died from this, it is important to me".

Hope I didn't offend anyone - just my humble opinion!

[Aussiegirl777]

If I had my time over again I would definately ask family and friends to get the shot. My Son contracted WC at 5 weeks of age. Thankfully he is a happy and healthy 6 month old now but WC is a serious, deadly disease is an infant as you know through the loss of your friend's baby. People may be offended but who cares - if it's what you feel you need to do then that's what you should do.

[ellasmummy]

Not unreasonable at all! My DH,mil,mum,dad and sister all got the booster before dd was born, and I had it once she was born. O didn't ask others, but everyone knows I'm a germaphobe so any sign of even a cold people don't come near my kids. I was more paranoid about drs apptments and shopping centres!

[JellyBean]

I think it's fine - it's how you feel - your baby!

However if it were me personally, I would sooner miss out on visiting a good friend's baby than have toxins such as formaldehyde and aluminium injected into my blood stream. It could also be particularly confronting to anyone who has watched a child suffer a serious adverse reaction following the pertussis (WC) vaccine. But again - so long as you are aware of this and prepared for people to take their stance you are within your rights to make yours and have yours respected.
The vast majority of those being infected by the whooping cough at present are vaccinated. My niece and nephew are among them. Transmission of pertussis via the pertussis vaccine is also a stated (albeit rare) adverse reaction accepted by the manufacturer of pertussis vaccinations. Whilst this is rare - it can and does occur - usually to those with already compromised immune systems. You may wish to take this into consideration, and ask that people refrain from visiting for a week or 2 after receiving the booster shot.

[Kimbles01]

Make sure also that they know that the vaccine takes a few weeks before it's considered effective. I didn't know this, but thankfully I harassed (in a loving way!) my DH a month before DD was due so he was covered in time!