DTaP--why or why not

[mamaC11]

my husband and i have vaxed our previous 3 children b/c we didn't realize we had an option, our doctors said it was mandatory and were very intimidating so, being young and not well researched in the area we gave in.  Now we have 10 years and more wisdom/research to pull from and vaxing is super questionable to us.  we've pretty much decided no vaxes until DS (3 months old today) is about a year and then we'll re visit the conversation...but the DTaP is the one that keeps me wondering if i should just get this one.  had DS at the dr. today for a well check while my daughter was getting pink eye checked out.  He's doing amazing and is leaps and bounds ahead of most 3 month olds (according to the ped who is very selective/non vax friendly).  she did ask us to consider this one vax though and honestly it's the only one i've entertained getting him.  according to her there was a mini outbreak of WC just last year in our area in which 20-30 children came down with it.  we do live in an area where there are a lot of illegal immigrants which she said makes the risk a bit higher (is that true?)  so give me the pros and cons of the DTaP as well as paint me a picture of WC...what does it look like, does it always mean death to the baby etc.

[grumpybear]

From what I have read, whooping cough seems to be a greater risk to infants under 6months because airway passages are small. But as they grow older, the passages get bigger and the severity risk for WC decreases. At least that is my understanding.

We did vax for DTaP though but more for the D part of it, since we go to my home country often where D is still a risk.

[Bokonon]

From what I understand, full coverage is not considered until after the third dose, which is recommended at 6 months, and after that point, the risk of serious complications is very slim anyway.

It is a highly reactive vaccine.  My son had 4 dose without issue and then had a reaction with the 5th one at 5 years old, and has spent months being sick more often than he's been well.  Though my daughter got it at 2 months and again at 14 months and didn't have a noticeable reaction.

Pertussis is concerning, but it is good that your doctor pointed out that immigrant families tend to get hit harder with it, and I've read theories about increased pertussis cases being due to agricultural areas and spraying of pesticides, but I don't know how valid those theories are.

It's important to also keep in mind that the vaccine does not prevent transmission.  You and your kids could be vaccinated and still get and spread the illness.  Pertussis does NOT always mean death to the baby; not by a long shot.  Over 6000 people were diagnosed with WC in California last year and 11 infants died.  Those deaths are tragic, of course, but we don't know their background and if they were treated promptly (I believe most if not all were from immigrant families, and it seems possible that they might delay treatment because of legal issues, but I don't know this for a fact), had underlying conditions, were breastfed, in daycare, etc.  

It's a very tough decision.  It was the only vaccine that I decided to have my kids get after making a well-researched choice to delay vaxes until they were older, if at all, and because of my son's reaction, I've regretted it. 

Good luck with your decision - I hope you can reach one that you are comfortable with!

[mamaC11]

thank you both for your replies.  my oldest daughter, while i wasn't smart enough to document dates etc then, i believe has a compromised immune system from her vax.  when she was born she was so quiet and serene, we spent almost all day with her just soaking her in before they finally insisted they take her to the nursery where they gave her the hep vax, when she came back she was SCREAMING and continued to scream the ENTIRE night.  she also had a mini seizure not long after having one of the vaxes when she was around 6-12 months i believe.  ever since then every little cold is disabling for her, i hate it.  almost every illness nearly lands her in the hospital.  my other 2 girls have seemingly done OK, although my 4 year old isn't finished, i don't think i'll finish her vaxes.  now my little man has had nothing other than the vitamin K shot in the hospital.

I realize that because my girls are in school he runs a higher risk of catching something thru them, but after watching my oldest struggle and starting to put the puzzle together, finding out what is really in the vaccinations... i'm really not wanting to put him thru it all.  with all that said here is my BUT...WC scares the bejeebees out of me and I know if something goes wrong either way I choose, I'll never forgive myself.