TDAP for All!

I mentioned in previous posts that Shep and I have both gotten our TDAP vaccines in preparation for this little kicker to arrive.  But, it's also important that caretakers, relatives, friends and any other people wishing to spend time with infants before they are old enough to receive immunity from their own vaccinations get vaccinated.  This concept is know as "herd immunity" and helps create a buffer of immunity around yet-to-be-vaccinated babies.  To ensure our families were familiar with the serious risks of whooping cough and the CDC recommendations around the TDAP vaccine, I wrote up and sent anyone who I thought might visit baby kicker as a newborn the below email.  Feel free to replicate/edit and use for your own purposes if you want!

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Hello! We are in Week 30 of our pregnancy and so far everything is looking good with baby's development! Shep and I both recently got our TDAP vaccines in preparation for meeting our little bundle of joy in a couple months! The pertussis portion of this vaccine is especially important. Pertussis (whooping cough) is a highly contagious bacterial disease that can be spread by coughing. There have been a number of whooping cough outbreaks in our area lately and it can be extremely dangerous for newborns to contract this disease. When a baby catches whooping cough, the baby can suffer from breathing trouble, pneumonia, and in some cases, even brain damage or death.

Since the baby cannot get his/her own TDAP vaccine for a couple months after birth, we want to make you aware of the TDAP vaccine. If you plan on visiting us to spend time with the baby after birth but before s/he can get vaccinated, we would ask that you also get the TDAP vaccination sometime between now and May, if you haven't already received it. We know it's still a couple months out, but this way, if you have a physical or a checkup at some point between now and then, you can ask for the TDAP vaccine while you're there. Local pharmacies like CVS and Walgreen's also offer TDAP vaccines. You should plan to get the shot at least 2 weeks before being around the baby.

According to the CDC:
Adults 19 years of age and older who didn't get Tdap as a preteen or teen should get one dose of Tdap. Adults get Tdap in place of one of their regular tetanus boosters - the Td shot that is recommended for adults every 10 years. However, the dose of Tdap can be given no matter when the last Td shot was received. It's a good idea for adults to talk to a health care provider about what's best for their specific situation.

Here is a link to a CDC article about pertussis if you still have questions or want to know more about it: http://www.cdc.gov/pertussis/about/prevention.html

Thanks for helping to keep our baby safe and healthy!