Emergency vaccinations for pregnant women as whooping cough cases triple
There has been a sharp rise in the number of whooping cough cases in the UK - 11 babies have died so far this year.
This has led to the Department of Health launching an emergency vaccination programme for pregnant women in an effort to combat this serious illness.
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A sharp rise in the number of whooping cough cases in the UK has led to the Department of Health launching an emergency vaccination programme
Why has the Department of Health initiated this now?
Three times as many cases as normal have been reported: 235 babies under three months have been ill. Most babies who get the disease are so ill that they will require hospital treatment.
Why has there been this rise in cases?
Parents have been forgetting to get pre-school booster jabs for their children, and many adults vaccinated in the Seventies and Eighties are susceptible as their immunity seems to have waned.
Is it safe to have a vaccination when I’m pregnant?
It doesn’t contain the live virus so it cannot give you the disease.
Why can’t they just vaccinate newborns?
Their immune systems are probably too immature, but immunity is passed on if their mothers are vaccinated when pregnant.
When is the correct time to get the vaccination?
Usually it is between 28 and 38 weeks. But you can still have it if you are already past 38 weeks.
Will this affect other vaccinations for my baby?
No, the immunisation programme for infants won’t change.
VIDEO: Prof. David Salisbury explains why vaccine is important