Why whooping cough vaccination during pregnancy?
Whooping cough can be serious for young babies. It can cause them to develop pneumonia or due to lack of oxygen to the brain, breathlessness and brain damage. Each year about 170 young infants are hospitalized with whooping cough, some of which can even lead to death.
Not protected for the first few months
Many children in the Netherlands are vaccinated against whooping cough when they are 2 months old through the National Vaccination Scheme. So the first few months a baby is not yet protected. Many babies who contract the disease therefore contract it in the first few months after birth.
Protected immediately from birth thanks to mother’s vaccination
For this reason, the Health Council recommended back in 2015 that all pregnant women be vaccinated against whooping cough at 22 weeks of pregnancy. The baby then receives the antibodies through the mother via the placenta and is protected against whooping cough right from birth. In 2019, the 22-week vaccination against whooping cough for pregnant women was introduced in the Netherlands.
Fewer vaccinations for your baby after birth
If you get vaccinated during your pregnancy, your baby will be protected against Whooping Cough immediately after birth. But also against Diphtheria, Polio and Tetanus (DKTP shot), because that is also included in the vaccination you get as a pregnant woman. This means your baby will need one less vaccination after birth. The vaccination at two months expires for most babies if their mother was vaccinated during pregnancy. The current vaccination schedule of two, three, four and 11 months will then become three, five and 11 months. Read more at rijksvaccinatieprogramma.nl
Whooping cough is a very contagious disease caused by a bacterium. The bacteria produces a toxin, this causes coughing fits that can last a very long time. Often it looks like you have an ordinary nose cold, but soon after, heavy and long coughs develop, which are especially difficult for a baby.
If you are pregnant, you can get vaccinated from week 22 of your pregnancy. To do so, make an appointment at the consultation office in Eindhoven or in Waalre, via the GGD Brabant Zuidoost website.
- Whooping cough shot for pregnant women (22-week shot)
- Vaccinations during pregnancy (RIVM)
- Vaccinations (deverloskundige.nl)