Whooping Cough Vaccine

If you've seen the news today and are more than 24 weeks pregnant, you may well be rushing to your GP to get the whooping cough jab.

The evidence does seem overwhelming and with headlines like this:

"Whooping cough vaccine a 'no-brainer' during pregnancy"

and tweets for hunky TV doctors like this: 

You may think that you're in the wrong if you don't immunize yourself as quickly as possible. 

However, there are a couple of things you might to know before rushing out and sticking needles in your arms. 

• The vaccine is actually a combined vaccine for diphtheria, tetanus and polio. 
• It's 'street' name is Repavax and you can read all about it's list of ingredients here
• It's the same vaccine given to children at 8 weeks
• The side effects can also be found on the information leaflet (see above link) 
• If you're allergic to any of the ingredients, ask your doctor about the jab's safety
• It's been given to pregnant women (later than 24 weeks) in the US and there have been no reported problems
•  You'll still need to get your child immunized about whooping cough at 8 weeks
• The vaccine doesn't immunize the fetus directly, but you'll pass on the antibodies you make. 

With 10 reported deaths from whooping cough in the UK recently it's great that the vaccine is being offered to protect babies during the fragile, first few weeks. However pregnant women should always read all relevant information to check any medicine is safe for them. 

Don't feel bullied into having any injections or tests and always voice any concerns. I've known a lot of my pregnant friends and relatives feel bullied, overlooked or made to feel silly by medical professionals , whose job it is to care. 

At the time the NHS is overstretched and some healthcare professionals will fob you off, if you don't kick up a fuss!

There, that's my two cents. Always read the label!