There is alot of Whooping cough around at the moment and babies who are too young to start their vaccinations are at greatest risk.
I have had my Vaccine for the Whooping Cough today, So glad i have had it done to protect my unborn baby.
Here are some helpful information for all expectant mothers....
Why Should I be concerned?
Whooping cough is a serious disease that can lead to pneumonia and permanent brain damage. Many babies with whooping cough will be admitted to hospital and they are at risk of dying from the disease.
But aren't babies vaccinated to protect them against diseases?
Yes they are, but the babies that have been getting whooping cough are generally too young to have started their normal vaccinations so they are not protected against the disease. Babies immune systems don't make good responses to the vaccine until they are two months old and they need three doses to build up full protection.
So how can i protect my baby?
The only way you can help protect your baby from getting whooping cough in its first weeks after birth is by having the whooping cough vaccination yourself while you are pregnant. You will then pass some immunity to your baby before he or she is born. The best time to get Vaccinated is between weeks 28 - 32 of your pregnancy but you can still have the vaccination up to week 38.
Will my baby still need to be vaccinated against whooping cough at two months if i've had the vaccine while pregnant?
Yes, your baby should be vaccinated according to the normal schedule.
