During your pregnancy, you may be faced with the choice whether or not to have a particular vaccination. The choice is always up to you. Below you will find background information which can help you to make a choice.
The Whooping Cough (Pertussis) vaccine
Whooping cough is a highly contagious disease and is caused by a bacterium. The bacteria produces a toxin, causing coughing fits that can last for months. Read more about whooping cough here. During pregnancy, it is already possible for pregnant women to get their own whooping cough vaccination. By doing so, you protect yourself and your newborn baby. Whooping cough is especially dangerous for babies. Due to the frequent coughing, babies become exhausted, stop drinking and may lack oxygen. More than half of babies with whooping cough are hospitalised. By vaccinating as early as pregnancy, far fewer children die of whooping cough.
So with the whooping cough vaccination, you reduce your baby’s chances of contracting whooping cough in the first 3 months after birth and all the associated risks. It is important to read the information on this carefully. It will help you make an informed choice. You can read all the relevant information at www.22wekenprik.nl. The vaccination is part of the national vaccination programme and is therefore free of charge.
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Safety and side effects
The whooping cough vaccination has been found to be safe in pregnancy. As with any vaccination, you may experience side effects. Examples include drowsiness, headache and reactions at the spot where you were pricked (redness, thick or painful arm). These side effects are usually quite mild and go away by themselves. Serious side effects, such as a severe allergic reaction, are very rare.
It is possible to get the vaccines during an introduction appointment with the JGZ. During this appointment you can also discuss what you can expect from them after your child is born. Do you also want to get the influenze vaccination? Both jabs may be administered at the same time. You can make an appointment via this phone number: 030-286 33 00, option 2 or click here for information to make an appointment.
Do you have questions about the whooping cough vaccine, or are you finding it difficult to make a decision? Do not hesitate to contact us. We are happy to think with you so that you can make a choice that suits you.
