Texas Insider Report: AUSTINTexas Protecting newborns from two serious possibly deadly illnesses whooping cough (or pertussis) and flu starts with Mom before baby is born. As we honor moms this Mothers Day the physicians of the Texas Medical Association (TMA) urge pregnant moms and moms-to-be to get recommended shots to protect themselves and their babies.
By getting vaccinated during pregnancy moms can pass illness-fighting immunity on to their babies said R. Moss Hampton MD Midland an obstetrician-gynecologist. Newborns cant get their whooping cough and flu shots until they are a few months old so moms shots help baby fight off these illnesses.
Whooping cough is especially dangerous for infants younger than 1 year of age. It is highly contagious and the Texas Department of State Health Services says more than half of babies less than a year old with pertussis must be hospitalized. Many will have serious complications like pneumonia or apnea (slowed or stopped breathing) and some become so sick they will die.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends women get the Tdap vaccination (a combination vaccination that protects against tetanus diphtheria and pertussis) during each pregnancy. While the vaccination may be given any time during pregnancy CDC suggests pregnant moms receive it between 27 and 36 weeks of gestation or during the third trimester.
Vaccinating mom provides double protection said Dr. Hampton a member of TMAs Be Wise ImmunizeSM Physician Advisory Panel. Mom is less likely to catch and pass whooping cough on to her baby and baby is protected until he or she has had all whooping cough shots which occurs around 18 months of age.
The same is true of moms flu shot which she can get anytime during pregnancy: It provides protection both to her and to the baby. Flu is dangerous for both pregnant women and babies. It can put pregnant women in the hospital or even kill them and babies too. Expectant moms with flu also have more risk of problems for their unborn baby including early labor and delivery. Because babies cant get their flu shot until they are 6 months old moms flu vaccine helps pass on protection to the little one.
Vaccination advice does not pertain just to mom though. Because babies can catch pertussis from anyone near them physicians recommend all those who will come into contact with the baby be up to date on their whooping cough vaccination including parents siblings grandparents childcare providers and health care workers.
For the best protection CDC recommends family members get the pertussis shot at least two weeks before they have contact with the baby. And because babies dont always arrive on their due date getting vaccinated a few weeks before the anticipated birth is best said Dr. Hampton.
Flu too is passed easily from person to person. CDC recommends flu shots each year for anyone over 6 months of age so that means all family members and caregivers should be vaccinated for flu as well.
If youre pregnant physicians recommend you ask your doctor about Tdap and flu shots. TMA published a whooping cough infographic and whooping cough fact sheet in English and Spanish. TMA also has a flu infographic and flu fact sheet in English and Spanish.
TMA is the largest state medical society in the nation representing more than 49000 physician and medical student members. It is located in Austin and has 110 component county medical societies around the state. TMAs key objective since 1853 is to improve the health of all Texans.
TMA actively works to improve immunization rates in Texas through its Be Wise Immunize program. Be Wise works with local communities to give free and low-cost shots to Texans and educate people about the importance of vaccination. More than 300000 shots have been given to Texas children adolescents and adults through the Be Wise program since 2004.
Be Wise Immunize is a service mark of the Texas Medical Association.
