Vaccinations

[MissKW]

Has anybody here decided not to have the flu or WC vaccines whilst pregnant?
If not what are your reasons?
I'm currently 25 weeks and still debating with myself, I have done a lot of research and thinking and I have so far decided not to bother with the flu vaccine for various reasons, surprisingly my gp seemed perfectly ok with this too. However I'm still debating about WC, I think I will probably get that one just in case, but I would still like to know your thoughts about it.
I never realised how difficult these decisions would be before getting pregnant, now I'm over thinking everything lol, its hard to now what to do for the best

 

[Loula]

I never bothered with the flu one. I get offered it every year due to working for nhs. I've had it once and had a reaction to it, it was confirmed too.
I did however go for the whooing cough one after my 20 week scan as o have seen so many babies under 8 weeks being admitted with whooping cough so if I can minimise that in my child I will because it's not nice

 

[candymycandy]

I got both. From my perspective the benefits outweighed any risks (though I didn’t see any) in terms of the health of baby x

 

[GBLiz]

i have refused them in all my pregnancies. I opnly ever had the flu jab once and got a really bad cold straight after! It only vaccinates against particular strains of flu, not against colds, real flu is actually pretty rare so i dont fancy getting ill from the vaccine for no reason. I'm not a big vaccine fan so turned down whooping cough too.

 

[megsmeadow]

I get the flu vaccination every year. I've had proper flu once in my life as a healthy adult. That was horrendous, with weeks in bed and a long recovery. Being in a higher risk group when pregnant for me is a terrifying thought, with potentially fatal consequences. I'd rather have the vaccine. With wc, being able to give my baby some protection again feels like the benefits far outweigh the risks.

Everyone will weigh these up based on their knowledge and experiences, and do what they feel is right for themselves and their babies. There is no right or wrong.

 

[GBLiz]

agree. Absolutely do what you want to do and dont feel guilted either way!

 

[Shanivy]

Personally I get the flu free every year as I'm asthmatic so classed as vulnerable without even being pregnant.

I do know two people who've had it this year and it was awful. Both hospitalised ( though both classed as vulnerable ) I also work as a Support Worker and I'm around clients who are high risk of getting it. It's a no brainer for me with work. Getting a cold is normal after and I've never had a reaction all the years I've had it.
If I didn't have asthma and work where I do I probably would be the same as you, debating if I should or not tbh.

With dd I got the whooping cough too and will be this time as my nephew had that and it was so heartbreaking watching him. In my opinion they're both worth it but others might not feel the same way from personal experiences or opinions.

It's completely up to you what you do though. Don't let anyone convince you to do anything you're uncomfortable with.

 

[Blank_Page]

It's up to you of course but as someone who reacts baldly to meds often (I have had hyperemesis and they took me off all the antiemetics and won't let me have anything to help because I had a bad reaction to one of them) I got both flu & WC vaccines together and had zero side effects whatsoever.

 

[snowbee]

I'm very rarely ill, never had flu. But I opted to have it just in case and the WC vaccine (as I would feel stupid if I declined either when they are offered and then something happened to my baby).

The only side effect I had (with both) was a sore arm that lasted nearly a week. If I get pregnant again I would have them both again if that is still the recommendation.

 

[JustTrying]

i didnt get any - never have before pregnancy either

 

[Loveandpeace]

I usually dont bother with the flu vaccine even though I am supposed to get it with having asthma.
I was reluctant to get it but after a lot of reading up, DH and I I decided I should get it.

I was definitely for getting the WC vaccine as my colleagues daughter contracted WC as a small baby and she said for months her and her partner had an awful time because the baby had to be placed as upright as possible in the sleeping position and they barley got any sleep for the baby being so ill with the disease. She regretted not getting it.