During pregnancy, most women receive tetanus injections. And rightly so. But now, you and your baby can receive protection against 3 diseases — Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis.
What is 3-in-1 Protection during pregnancy?
3-in-1 Protection is immunization/vaccination against Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis pregnancy whereby a mother and her baby can be protected against these infectious diseases during pregnancy.
Why These Three Diseases?
It is important to know how these three diseases can affect the mother and baby. Tetanus is a serious bacterial infection that can affect the nervous system, diphtheria is a serious throat infection that can block airways and pertussis is a serious respiratory disease that can lead to hospitalization in infants less than 2 months of age.
What Are the Benefits Of 3-in-1 Vaccination During Pregnancy?
Infants are not adequately protected especially against pertussis at birth. The vaccination for newborn babies, begins only at 6 weeks, and is completed only by about 3-4 months. This might put them at risk of developing the disease and complications in the first few months of life.
The 3-in-1 vaccination during pregnancy provides protection to both the mother and baby by transfer of vaccine-induced antibodies during pregnancy. There is an additional benefit of reduced risk of transmission of infection from the mother to the baby.
What is Pertussis?
Pertussis (also known as whooping cough) is a highly contagious respiratory infection which can be very serious, especially for newborn babies. The most common symptoms an infant is likely to present with are cough with or without associated whoop and difficulty in breathing.
Here’s more about pertussis and its vaccination during pregnancy. Click to Watch!
How Can My Baby Catch Pertussis?
Pertussis is spread through air by infectious droplets, so it is easily transmitted by other people coughing or sneezing or being close to a person with the disease.
Mothers are the main source of pertussis infection for newborns. They can also get infected from older brothers or sisters, other family members or caregivers who might not even know they have the disease.
What Could Happen If My Baby Get Pertussis?
Pertussis may cause serious and sometimes deadly complications in babies and young infants less than 2 months of age[1]. Infants and young children can be distressed and may turn blue due to difficulty in breathing. In very young babies, the cough may not be particularly noticeable, but there may be brief periods when they stop breathing[2]. Around 90% of infants, less than 2 months of age, with pertussis require hospitalization[3].
Are There Any Side Effects Of 3-in-1 Vaccination?
Based on the available evidence, 3-in-1 vaccination during pregnancy is found to be generally well tolerated. The most common side effects observed include mild-to-moderate pain, swelling, and redness at the injection site.
When Should I Receive 3-in-1 Vaccination During Pregnancy?
It is best to consult your doctor for more details on the appropriate time to receive 3-in-1 vaccination during pregnancy and for any more information about this.
To know more about 3-in-1 Vaccination during pregnancy, speak to your gynecologist now.
References:
1. Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Pertussis (Whooping Cough). Complications.
2. Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Pertussis (Whooping Cough). Causes and Transmission
3. Hong. Korean J Pediatr 2010;53(5):629–633.
NP-IN-PTX-PSP-200014, DOP Mar 2020
Disclaimer: A public awareness initiative by GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceuticals Limited. Dr. Annie Besant Road, Worli, Mumbai 400 030, India. Information appearing in this material is for general awareness only and does not constitute any medical advice. Please consult your physician for any question or concern you may have regarding your condition.