(02) 6382 1544The NSW Vaccination programme covers costs of vaccine for pregnant mothers and is supplied from this practice.
Unfortunately Vaccination for other family members is not currently covered – the vaccine costs $35 from here or you can obtain on prescription from your pharmacist.
The registered nurse will administer the vaccination – there may be a small gap in consultation fee for non concession card holders.
Reference http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/immunisation/pages/wc-newborns.aspx
Whooping cough vaccination during pregnancy can protect your newborn from day one.
Whooping cough (also known as pertussis) is a highly infectious bacterial disease that causes severe bouts of coughing.
In adults, the symptoms can be mild, but if the infection is spread to a baby who is not yet vaccinated, it can be life threatening.
Studies have found that whooping cough vaccination during pregnancy is safe and effective for both the mother and baby.
Vaccination during pregnancy (preferably at 28 weeks) means your body produces antibodies that get passed on to your baby before birth.
These antibodies will protect your baby until they are ready to receive their own vaccinations at 6 weeks of age.
Is the vaccination safe?
Yes, the vaccine is safe for both the pregnant woman and baby when given during pregnancy.
Studies from the US and UK involving more than 40,000 pregnant women found only mild side effects such as pain or redness in the arm where the vaccination was given.
It doesn’t increase the risk of serious pregnancy complications such as prematurity and the National Health and Medical Research Council has recently updated recommendations for pregnant women to be vaccinated in their third trimester.
I am pregnant, what do I need to do?
Talk to your doctor today about getting free whooping cough vaccine in your third trimester.
The immunity you get from the whooping cough vaccine fades over time so you need to be vaccinated during each pregnancy at around 28 weeks.
It is also important that those who will be closest to your baby in the first weeks of life also receive a whooping cough vaccine.
Make sure your other children are up to date with their vaccines and ask carers and close family members who have not had a whooping cough vaccine in the past 10 years to make sure that they are vaccinated at least two weeks before they have any contact with your baby.
A handy phone App that reminds parents when their children’s vaccinations are due is available for free on Android and iPhone from http://www.immunisation.health.nsw.gov.au/.
Children are offered this vaccination as part of normal immunisation programme
– it is given in 3 doses vaccination at 2,4 & 6 months after birth ( one component of Infanrix-hexa).
A booster vaccination with Boostrix should be given as part of school programme Year 7.
The free whooping cough vaccine during pregnancy is the best way to protect your newborn from day one. Talk to your doctor today about vaccinations.
You can also protect yourself and your baby from the dangerous effects of the flu during pregnancy by asking your doctor for the flu vaccine which can be given at any stage during your pregnancy.