Whooping cough vaccine for pregnant women

[starlight2801]

I can understand pregnant women being concerned about whether a vaccine is safe for her unborn baby.

I am routinely the flu vaccine due to be being asthmatic but I chose not to have it when I was pregnant with my daughter.

The reason for this is I received my reminder letter saying that it was NOT safe for pregnant women and then literally two weeks later it was all over the news that the jab will now be offered to pregnant women due to the risk to us and our babies when they are born.

The midwives and GP's spent the rest of my pregnancy trying to convince me but you can understand my confusion here. It was a dramatic turn around that happened quickly and I was worried it hadn't been properly tested out.

This time around I will be getting the flu jab in the next couple of weeks. The fact that the advice to get it has been consistent in the past few years has convinced me it is safe for my baby.

As for the whooping cough one I haven't had it since childhood so if the evidence suggests its safe I will have it. I don't have the same doubts in my head as although its never been offered before I've never been told its unsafe.

It will be a bit less to worry about in the early days too x

 

[Sparklerose]

I don't understand why anyone wouldn't get these vaccines.* It's like not vaccinating your children. It's simply irresponsible and puts your child, and everyone else's at risk.



*I can understand it in the US with that dreadful healthcare system as so many people won't be able to afford it.

 

[New2Bumps]

Last time I was pregnant the swine flu jab was offered. I didn't get that as it was a brand new vaccination and I wasn't at all convinced that it was safe (there was not enough time for it to be properly tried and tested) and I didn't feel particularly at risk.
I won't get the flu jab.

I will however get the whooping cough one. I remember friends who had it when I was little and it's horrendus, plus can be fatal. My last LO was prem and the risk if a prem baby got it is obviously much much higher and so that's another reason for me to have it.
|Finally, it's the same vaccine that's been around for years that baby gets at 3m so is well tried and tested and will be just a smaller dose, so I'm confident that it's safe.

A personal decision for every mommy I think.


ETA: when I talk about risk I'm referring to the chemicals that are used in the jabs to preserve them, as some of those chemicals in larger doses have been linked to horrible side effects in babies and in deveolpment. However, I always choose to have LO immunised - I do think herd mentality is important generally, it's just inutero I feel I have a responsibility to research. My mom spoke to me about the formaldahyde babies - she was offered a pill to stop morning sickness that was the big thing at the time and she didn't take it. Some of the mothers-to-be that did had terribly deformed babies which must be awful knowing that it was one thing that caused it. That pill was hailed as a miracle and safe at the time. That is why I always look into anything inutero before having it!

 

[patch2006uk]

Tbh I think not getting this vaccine is part of the same sort of mentality that is responsible for the current outbreak. Herd immunity is important.

Don't agree with you on this one. I'm vaccinated, my son is vaccinated, this next one will be vaccinated. I want evidence why I need a booster now, and that the booster is effective. Not the same mentality at all.

Because your unborn baby isn't and won't be until he/she is two months old. When pregnant women get vaccinated the antibodies transfer through the placenta to the baby offering them protection until they are old enough for their own.

Except there's no evidence that this is actually what happens. It's a theory. I'd like to see some evidence that this is actually how the jab works before committing to it.

 

[patch2006uk]

I don't really mind the chemicals tbh - our world is filled with chemicals. I just don't want an unnecessary injection, given there's no proof it works how they're intending. If you have it while pregnant and it works how they say it does, why should anyone else need the jab too? Baby should be protected? If you breastfeed after having it, it should protect baby, so why do you need it while pregnant?

There are too many questions and not enough answers (at the moment). It isn't just a knee-jerk 'vaccines=bad' response. I always research things before I take them, even when not pregnant. And for this, there just isn't enough research for me to be happy with the decision to go ahead.

Also, 9 deaths is 9 deaths too many, but compared to things like SIDS, group b strep, car accidents, and other things, the risk doesn't seem to warrant the action they've decided on.

 

[poutie]

I don't understand why anyone wouldn't get these vaccines.* It's like not vaccinating your children. It's simply irresponsible and puts your child, and everyone else's at risk.



*I can understand it in the US with that dreadful healthcare system as so many people won't be able to afford it.

I'm not getting the vaccine, nor will I (or any of my children) get the flu vaccine now or at any point in the future. I'm making an informed decision, that doesn't make me or anyone else who decides not to vaccinate themselves or their children irresponsible.

 

[Sparklerose]

Not vaccinating your children is reckless as well as irresponsible.

 

[patch2006uk]

Not vaccinating your children is reckless as well as irresponsible.

You do understand this thread is about vaccinating pregnant women, right?

 

[Sparklerose]

Not vaccinating your children is reckless as well as irresponsible.

You do understand this thread is about vaccinating pregnant women, right?

And you do understand the poster above saying she wouldn't vaccinate her children either, right? (See how easy it is to patronise - doesn't mean you score any points).

To answer why only pregnant women are being given it, it's to protect the unborn child, the one who hasn't been vaccinated yet. Until they get their own vaccination. Vaccinations don't last forever but the idea is to protect the most vulnerable.

 

[patch2006uk]

Not vaccinating your children is reckless as well as irresponsible.

You do understand this thread is about vaccinating pregnant women, right?

And you do understand the poster above saying she wouldn't vaccinate her children either, right? (See how easy it is to patronise - doesn't mean you score any points).

To answer why only pregnant women are being given it, it's to protect the unborn child, the one who hasn't been vaccinated yet. Until they get their own vaccination. Vaccinations don't last forever but the idea is to protect the most vulnerable.

She said she wouldn't give the flu vaccine. I wouldn't either. I also wouldn't give a chickenpox vaccine if one was offered here. I don't understand why someone wouldn't want to protect against diseases like polio, measles, whooping cough. But the flu vaccine is a weird anomaly IMO, in that the formulation is changed every year, and it isn't all that effective anyway
"Preliminary data for the 2010-2011 influenza season indicate that influenza vaccine effectiveness was about 60% for all age groups combined"
from https://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/qa/vaccineeffect.htm

Do you have any evidence that the whooping cough vaccine actually protects the unborn child? Or that those whose mothers have been vaccinated have better outcomes before their own jabs? It's going to take more than being told 'it's a no brainer' for me to accept a vaccine that until a few days ago we were told wasn't safe during pregnancy

 

[poutie]

Not vaccinating your children is reckless as well as irresponsible.

I don't appreciate you calling me reckless and irresponsible. Do you know what they put in these shots? Have you done any research? The FDA and the CDC both say the side effects of many different vaccines can cause SIDS, Autism, Seizures, High Fevers and much more. Furthermore as a parent it is irresponsible to put your child in grave danger, is it not? It's punishable by law in America. In my book, injecting my child with a syringe filled with formaldyhyde, aluminum, mercury, fetal medium, horse urine and many other awful things is putting my child in danger. I would rather them get sick naturally and possibly die than die by my hand for "the better good".

To vaguely call someone irresponsible is somewhat ignorant and is more specifically a blanket statement. What about my actions are irresponsible and in what context? If by irresponsible you're saying I am an irresponsible citizen and member of my community, then you're right. If you're saying I am an irresponsible parent for not injecting my child with these "things", then you're wrong. If you're saying I'm irresponsible for both of these things, you're right and wrong. I will not be responsible for the death of my child, I will not volunteer my child as a martyr for the "better good". I will not play vaccine roulette with my child's life. My sole purpose on this planet right now is to make sure my child gets to the point where he/she can make decisions like this on their own.

So you are an irresponsible person and you're inconsiderate as well to go as far as to criticize me for my parenting. You know nothing about our society (America) and you know nothing about our medical system. Our doctors are given rewards, glorious titles and have an incentives program urging them to push these vaccines. In America when someone stands to gain $$$ in the deal, you must always question them rigorously. Otherwise you may end up on the wrong end of a jab, or in this case, your unborn baby, child, etc..

You don't have the right to guilt trip me into playing a dangerous game with my and my child's life. Shame on you.

 

[Kyla]

Hi ladies,

Whatever your decision is to vaccinate or not, can I please state (in the nicest possible way) that Autism is a genetic condition only and is not caused by anything you do regarding vaccines during your pregnancy or after your baby is born. I am a parent of a child with ASD and I have studied Autism and its causes at post-graduate university level very recently.

I respect everyone's personal reasons to vaccinate or not however please do not make these choices about whether you choose vaccination because of misinformation linking the vaccines specifically to autism. There is no significant epidemiological evidence linking autism to any type of vaccine.

 

[poutie]

https://www.fda.gov/downloads/Biologi.../UCM101580.pdf

"Adverse events reported during post-approval use of Tripedia vaccine include idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, SIDS, anaphylactic reaction, cellulitis, autism, convulsion/grand mal convulsion, encephalopathy, hypotonia, neuropathy, somnolence and apnea. Events were included in this list because of the seriousness or frequency of reporting. Because these events are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequencies or to establish a causal relationship to components of Tripedia vaccine." - This is found on page 11.

This is stating effects from the DtAP vaccine. I know the autism thing is definitely controversial but why is it on the fda government website?

After my son had his DtAP shots, he started displaying autistic-like behavior within a week after receiving it. Whether or not it was actual autism, it had seriously effected his development and caused him to display autistic-like behaviors, mimicking autism. These effects lasted for about 9 months and his speech is still delayed because of it (I believe). This is why I am now so anti-vaccine.

It's way too risky in my opinion.

 

[GracieGoo]

Wow and this thread is about to get heated.

I am one of those that is perhaps far too trusting, maybe some would call it stupid even. I believe in my NHS, yes they make mistakes unfortunately, but I like to think that they have learnt form them. Someone recalled the morning sickness drug that caused so many deformities, well I like to think that our NHS researches in much further details to prevent things like that happening again.

This question was primarily being asked to UK women given that it is something that has just been acknowledged in the UK (so I like to think that people arguing about people being irresponsible not vaccinating across continents not knowing the differing situations may be crossing boundaries), I do agree with patch it is scary that it has just come about so suddenly and yes I have questioned its safety, and I also think well if they are paying to protect our lo's from this (where again like patch says there has been 9 sad sad deaths), why on earth are they not testing for group b strep when that is a huge killer in newborns?!?!

Will I be getting this vaccine - I am not sure yet, but in all honesty probably yes - I like to think that my health care system does want to protect me. If you choose not to vaccinate then I might not agree with you, but my children will be vaccinated so hopefully that will protect them and therefore why do I feel the need to criticise (if that makes any sense!!!)

 

[Midnight_Fairy]

I will be having it.

 

[poutie]

Wow and this thread is about to get heated.

I am one of those that is perhaps far too trusting, maybe some would call it stupid even. I believe in my NHS, yes they make mistakes unfortunately, but I like to think that they have learnt form them. Someone recalled the morning sickness drug that caused so many deformities, well I like to think that our NHS researches in much further details to prevent things like that happening again.

This question was primarily being asked to UK women given that it is something that has just been acknowledged in the UK (so I like to think that people arguing about people being irresponsible not vaccinating across continents not knowing the differing situations may be crossing boundaries), I do agree with patch it is scary that it has just come about so suddenly and yes I have questioned its safety, and I also think well if they are paying to protect our lo's from this (where again like patch says there has been 9 sad sad deaths), why on earth are they not testing for group b strep when that is a huge killer in newborns?!?!

Will I be getting this vaccine - I am not sure yet, but in all honesty probably yes - I like to think that my health care system does want to protect me. If you choose not to vaccinate then I might not agree with you, but my children will be vaccinated so hopefully that will protect them and therefore why do I feel the need to criticise (if that makes any sense!!!)

Freedom of choice is a great thing and I respect everyone's choices about vaccinations. I personally am very strongly against it, based on the experience my son has from his DtAP shot and from my own research. I got very upset when a previous poster self-righteously called me "irresponsible and reckless" for my decision, insinuating that I'm a bad parent, as though they know what's best and their decision is the only right one. I don't agree with getting vaccinated; however, who am I to pass judgements and criticize those who choose to? It's none of my business what other people do and what they decide for their children. We all have the right to decide for ourselves and should not be criticized and judged for it.

There. My rant is over!

 

[GracieGoo]

Wow and this thread is about to get heated.

I am one of those that is perhaps far too trusting, maybe some would call it stupid even. I believe in my NHS, yes they make mistakes unfortunately, but I like to think that they have learnt form them. Someone recalled the morning sickness drug that caused so many deformities, well I like to think that our NHS researches in much further details to prevent things like that happening again.

This question was primarily being asked to UK women given that it is something that has just been acknowledged in the UK (so I like to think that people arguing about people being irresponsible not vaccinating across continents not knowing the differing situations may be crossing boundaries), I do agree with patch it is scary that it has just come about so suddenly and yes I have questioned its safety, and I also think well if they are paying to protect our lo's from this (where again like patch says there has been 9 sad sad deaths), why on earth are they not testing for group b strep when that is a huge killer in newborns?!?!

Will I be getting this vaccine - I am not sure yet, but in all honesty probably yes - I like to think that my health care system does want to protect me. If you choose not to vaccinate then I might not agree with you, but my children will be vaccinated so hopefully that will protect them and therefore why do I feel the need to criticise (if that makes any sense!!!)

Freedom of choice is a great thing and I respect everyone's choices about vaccinations. I personally am very strongly against it, based on the experience my son has from his DtAP shot and from my own research. I just got very upset when a previous poster self-righteously called me "irresponsible and reckless" for my decision, insinuating that I'm a bad parent, as though they know what's best and their decision is the only right one. We all have the right to decide for ourselves and should not be criticized and judged for it.

There. My rant is over!

I do agree with you. I think the problem is that there is a lot of people that do no research with regards to vaccinations, and then choose not to get their children vaccinated, which is in my opinion infuriating. But perhaps, I am the opposite do my research, do choose to vaccinate, and therefore maybe people think I am putting my child at risk and maybe that is infuriating.

In the UK we are going through epidemic levels of whooping cough at present especially in the north west, and this lies with the fact that more children are not getting vaccinated (a lot to do with the recent autism links with vaccination), so I believe this is probably where the pp's 'anger' and beliefs come from, and I can understand that. But people should research properly before making that decision, and I dont think enough people do (obviously not saying you are one of those). It is a freedom of choice, of course - I wont criticise anyone, as long as they have researched not getting it done properly, but like you say freedom of choice, but that means I wont necessarily agree with the choice.

 

[Kyla]

Hi poutie

You are not reckless or irresponsible at all by trying to make the best decisions for your family based on the information you have and I respect you for it.

The information on the FDA website was based on research published in 2005, and in relation specifically to autism, is out of date. I cannot of course comment on the other illnesses (and I agree that the research there is scary) but I do know that in the past 7 years there has been huge amounts of data collated and studied by companies, health professionals, universities and charities that rules out vaccines and autism being linked.

Health and happiness to all.

 

[patch2006uk]

Wow and this thread is about to get heated.

I am one of those that is perhaps far too trusting, maybe some would call it stupid even. I believe in my NHS, yes they make mistakes unfortunately, but I like to think that they have learnt form them. Someone recalled the morning sickness drug that caused so many deformities, well I like to think that our NHS researches in much further details to prevent things like that happening again.

This question was primarily being asked to UK women given that it is something that has just been acknowledged in the UK (so I like to think that people arguing about people being irresponsible not vaccinating across continents not knowing the differing situations may be crossing boundaries), I do agree with patch it is scary that it has just come about so suddenly and yes I have questioned its safety, and I also think well if they are paying to protect our lo's from this (where again like patch says there has been 9 sad sad deaths), why on earth are they not testing for group b strep when that is a huge killer in newborns?!?!

Will I be getting this vaccine - I am not sure yet, but in all honesty probably yes - I like to think that my health care system does want to protect me. If you choose not to vaccinate then I might not agree with you, but my children will be vaccinated so hopefully that will protect them and therefore why do I feel the need to criticise (if that makes any sense!!!)

Freedom of choice is a great thing and I respect everyone's choices about vaccinations. I personally am very strongly against it, based on the experience my son has from his DtAP shot and from my own research. I just got very upset when a previous poster self-righteously called me "irresponsible and reckless" for my decision, insinuating that I'm a bad parent, as though they know what's best and their decision is the only right one. We all have the right to decide for ourselves and should not be criticized and judged for it.

There. My rant is over!

I do agree with you. I think the problem is that there is a lot of people that do no research with regards to vaccinations, and then choose not to get their children vaccinated, which is in my opinion infuriating. But perhaps, I am the opposite do my research, do choose to vaccinate, and therefore maybe people think I am putting my child at risk and maybe that is infuriating.

In the UK we are going through epidemic levels of whooping cough at present especially in the north west, and this lies with the fact that more children are not getting vaccinated (a lot to do with the recent autism links with vaccination), so I believe this is probably where the pp's 'anger' and beliefs come from, and I can understand that. But people should research properly before making that decision, and I dont think enough people do (obviously not saying you are one of those). It is a freedom of choice, of course - I wont criticise anyone, as long as they have researched not getting it done properly, but like you say freedom of choice, but that means I wont necessarily agree with the choice.

Actually, the uptake for the DTaP is pretty high, and I believe the reasons for this outbreak is that a) the disease is cyclical anyway and we're at the point of the cycle where an outbreak is expected and b) the vaccine wears off after a few years, and so people now entering their childbearing years don't have sufficient immunity. There's also a theory that whooping cough has mutated, but this is only theoretical at the moment. Most cases are in the vaccinated population, but given almost 100% of us are vaccinated, that's no massive surprise.

It's the MMR where people have concerns regarding autism, not so much the DTaP. Measles, mumps and rubella are definitely at risk of making a comeback if vaccination levels continue to decline.

 

[poutie]

Hi poutie

You are not reckless or irresponsible at all by trying to make the best decisions for your family based on the information you have and I respect you for it.

The information on the FDA website was based on research published in 2005, and in relation specifically to autism, is out of date. I cannot of course comment on the other illnesses (and I agree that the research there is scary) but I do know that in the past 7 years there has been huge amounts of data collated and studied by companies, health professionals, universities and charities that rules out vaccines and autism being linked.

Health and happiness to all.

Thanks, Kyla

Thank you for clarifying, I didn't realize the information on the FDA website was out of date. Like I said, whatever happened with my son was causing him to mimick autistic-like behaviors. Whatever it was, it was definitely effecting his brain and development. The other stuff is pretty scary, isn't it?! I don't know. I just think it's not worth the risk!