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Last Updated: Feb 4th, 2009 - 22:08:12 |
Adults should know that vaccines given years ago may wear off. Do you need a whooping cough booster?
Keeping new moms and dads healthy means a better start for baby.
(NC)-The first few months of life are a crucial time for new parents to lay the building blocks of good health for their children. From promoting good nutrition, to childproofing their homes, new moms and dads devote considerable time and energy to making sure their baby gets the healthiest start possible.
But with all of the focus on baby, it can be easy for parents to forget about the importance of taking care of themselves. For example, many new moms and dads don't think about taking the time to make sure their own immunizations are up-to-date before the birth. This is important not only to keep themselves healthy, but also to help avoid transmitting illnesses to their baby.
Dr. Linda Yolles, a family physician and mother of four, says that couples planning a family should ensure that their immunizations for tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis, also known as whooping cough, are up-to-date either before they conceive or right after birth. It is recommended that all adults receive a Td (tetanus and diphtheria) booster every 10 years, so by replacing one Td booster with Adacel, a vaccine that protects against tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis, new moms and dads can ensure that they are protected against all three diseases.
"I tell my patients who are expecting, or trying to conceive, that by doing everything they can to protect themselves against illnesses, they can indirectly protect their infant," says Dr. Yolles. "Protection against whooping cough is especially important for new parents, because babies are not fully immunized against the disease until they are six months old. Moms and dads account for more than half of whooping cough transmission to infants."
It's not only parents who can infect their little ones, so make sure others that will be around your infant aren't spreading the whoop! Grandparents, babysitters, aunts and uncles or any other close contact can also unknowingly transmit pertussis to your child. Talk to those that are in contact with your child about the importance of the adult whooping cough booster, and speak with your doctor to see if your vaccinations are up to date and to see if Adacel is right for you.
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