Whooping cough vaccine now available for pregnant women at walk-in clinics in LLR
To support you to access the whooping cough vaccine closer to home the vaccine is now available on a walk-in basis on the roving health unit that is operating across the city and counties during the summer.
Newborn and young babies are most vulnerable from becoming seriously unwell from whooping cough but if pregnant women get vaccinated any time after 16 weeks of pregnancy, they can pass immunity to their babies which will give them the best possible protection from birth.
Whooping cough is an infection of the lungs and breathing tubes. It spreads very easily and can be particularly serious for newborn and very young babies. Infants with whooping cough may suddenly have difficulty breathing and can turn blue or grey. They also have an increased chance of developing problems such as, dehydration, pneumonia, or seizures (fits). It’s not always easy to tell if a baby is suffering from whooping cough as babies don’t necessarily make the “whoop” noise in the same way an older child or some adults would.
Babies are likely to require hospital treatment if they contract whooping cough and in some severe cases it can be fatal. Because of how infectious whooping cough is, it can be passed very easily within families from grandparents and parents to babies and beyond. This is why the vaccine during pregnancy is so important as it will help to protect. babies from becoming seriously unwell.
The roving health unit clinics that are happening across the city and counties throughout the summer are accessible on a walk-in basis, with no appointment necessary.
The Unit will be in Rutland as follows:
- Rutland Memorial Hospital, Cold Overton, Oakham, LE15 6NT
Saturday 17 August, 11am – 4pm - Catmos Street, Oakham, Rutland, LE15 6HW
Tuesday 27 August, 9am – 1pm
To view the full schedule of roving health unit locations visit: http://leicesterleicestershireandrutland.icb.nhs.uk/nhs-vaccinations/
The whooping cough vaccinations are available for:
• Pregnant women any time after 16 weeks of pregnancy (but ideally given between 16 and 32 weeks of pregnancy for best effect).
• Mothers with an infant less than two months of age who did not receive the vaccination during their pregnancy.
Whooping cough and other routine vaccinations are also available by contacting your midwife or GP practice.
If you or your baby have any signs or symptoms of whooping cough, measles, or COVID-19, protect others and call NHS 111 or your GP practice for guidance, do not go to A&E or your GP practice in person to avoid spreading infection further. In the event of a life-threatening, medical emergency dial 999.
