When you are pregnant you will offered the whooping cough vaccine ideally between 16 and 32 weeks of your pregnancy. On today’s blog we’re looking at why it’s important to have this vaccine.
What is whooping cough?
Whooping cough is a bacterial infection of the lungs and breathing tubes. It spreads very easily.
Young babies with whooping cough are often very poorly and most will be admitted to hospital because of their illness. When whooping cough is particularly severe, it can be fatal.
According to the NHS whooping cough rates have risen sharply in recent years and babies who are too young to have started their vaccination programme are most at risk.
Babies under 6 months old have increased chances of problems including:
dehydration
breathing difficulties
pneumonia
fits/convulsions
Why are pregnant women advised to have the vaccine?
Having the vaccination while you’re pregnant is a highly effective way to protect your baby from whooping cough in the first few weeks of their life. The immunity you’ll get from the vaccine passes through the placenta to your baby.
There is no evidence to suggest that the vaccine isn’t safe for you or your unborn baby.
Click here to read a study carried out by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency of around 20,000 women which has found no evidence of any risks.
Should my baby still be vaccinated if I had my whooping cough vaccine during pregnancy?
Yes, your baby will still need to be vaccinated when they reach 8 weeks old. Babies are protected against whooping cough by the 6-in-1 vaccine.
To find out more about whooping cough click here to visit the NHS website.