Is it really important to get vaccinated against pertussis in pregnancy?

The issue of vaccines has always created controversy among detractors and supporters of its usefulness. It is normal for any topic regarding medications to cause doubts. Especially when we talk about vaccines, which is a preventive drug.

Although fortunately nowadays, we have in our hand all kinds of information. We can find different opinions that will help us to solve all our doubts.

But above all, what is really important is to protect health not only our childrenIf not, the rest of the children who are the group most at risk for contagion, and for this we have such important weapons, such as vaccines.

What is whooping cough

Whooping cough is an infectious disease that affects the respiratory tract. This disease is especially serious in young babies. When a person coughs, or sneezes near a baby, they can be infecting the little one, without knowing if they may have the disease.

Therefore, a baby who cannot be vaccinated against pertussis for up to 2 months, is highly vulnerable to this infection. A newborn who gets whooping cough, you may also get pneumonia and have trouble breathing. You can end up hospitalized, and even in severe cases, it can lead to death.

Early prevention: pertussis vaccine in pregnancy

For this reason, prevention begins in this case in pregnancy. Pertussis vaccine is given to pregnant women in the third trimester. Between weeks 27 and 36 of each pregnancy.

The woman produces antibodies that are transferred to the fetus through the placenta, thus providing early protection to the newborn, until he can receive his first dose at two months of age.

It will even be several weeks since you receive your first pertussis vaccine, until your body creates its own antibodies. If the vaccine is administered during pregnancy, the baby will not only be born with antibodies that it has received through the placenta, but also you will continue to receive them through breastfeeding.

This vaccine has no contraindication that may affect pregnancy. More than a little swelling, or a slight pain for a few days.

So yeah, it really matters getting vaccinated against pertussis in pregnancy. Statistics tell us that in recent years, we are experiencing major outbreaks of this disease. Unfortunately several babies have lost their lives. Let's not stop protecting our children.

And of course, don't hesitate request all the information you need.