Pertussis, sometimes known as whooping cough, is a very contagious respiratory ailment. Before the discovery of the vaccine, whooping cough was thought to be a disease that only occurred in children. The disease now mostly affects adolescents and adults whose immunity has worn out, as well as young children who are too young to have received the full course of immunisations. The whooping cough vaccine in Manchester effectively offers protection to those who get it both at home and abroad.
Sneezing, coughing, or close contact with respiratory secretions of an infected person are the main ways that whooping cough spreads. It can result in a prolonged cough, severe complications, and fatality, most frequently in infants below the age of 6 months.
There are vaccines that help in whooping cough prevention. Currently, standard immunisations are given to babies in the UK at 2, 3, and 4 months to protect them from whooping cough (the 6-in-1 vaccine). But newborn infants are at risk until they have received at least two doses of the vaccine (until they are 3 to 4 months old).
On occasion, travellers visiting families are asked to receive booster doses of the pertussis vaccine before departure. Typically, this is for those who go to a foreign country—usually Australia—to visit relatives who are expecting or have just had a baby. To safeguard the newborn child in this circumstance, the travellers may be required to have a jab.
Adult travellers do not need to receive the pertussis vaccine before travelling if the pregnant woman at their destination has received the vaccination, preferably between 27 and 36 weeks of gestation.
Additionally, vaccinations are encouraged for expectant mothers since antibodies transmitted to the fetus help in protecting the newborn.
Because their immune systems have not yet fully matured, newborns are more susceptible to illnesses. As a result, everyone who comes in contact with infants should be up to date on all standard vaccinations, including the jab for whooping cough (DTaP for children as well as Tdap for pre-teens, teens, and adults).
Although not perfect, pertussis vaccinations are effective. Within the first two years following vaccination, they normally provide good levels of protection, but over time, that protection deteriorates. The effectiveness of DTaP vaccinations ranges from 80% to 90%. About 7 out of 10 recipients of the Tdap vaccine are protected in the first year after receiving it. Each year sees a decline in effectiveness. Four years after receiving Tdap, about 3 or 4 out of 10 persons are fully protected. The best approach to protect yourself and your loved ones from getting pertussis is to stay up to date on recommended vaccinations.
Getting the whooping cough vaccine is strongly advised if you are planning to travel. Furthermore, you should see your doctor, pharmacist, or vaccination provider if you require any health information concerning pertussis.
It makes sense that you might be concerned about the safety of getting vaccinated while pregnant. However, there is no proof that the whooping cough vaccine poses a risk to either you or your unborn child.
Book your appointment with SM Travel Clinic for a whooping cough vaccine in Manchester.
This blog post was written on behalf of the South Manchester Travel Clinic by Pharmacy Mentor.
