Vaccinating against Pertussis

What is Pertussis?

Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, is a dangerous disease, particularly perilous for infants under six months of age. Recently, there has been an increase in pertussis cases worldwide, including Israel. The main reason for this rise is related to decreased immunity with age.
The complications of pertussis can be severe and include pneumonia, weight loss, encephalitis, and even death. More than one-third of infants under one year of age with pertussis require hospitalization, with some being admitted to intensive care units.
The pertussis vaccine is administered as part of the routine childhood vaccination schedule in Israel and provides the best protection against the disease.

So, Why Get Vaccinated During Pregnancy?

The pertussis vaccine is administered to infants at the ages of 2, 4, 6, and 12 months.
Only after receiving all the doses does the baby develop sufficient immunity. Therefore, infants during their first few months of life are not fully protected against the disease.
Administering the vaccine to the mother late in pregnancy, between weeks 27-36, offers two levels of protection:

Passing antibodies to pertussis at a high level through the placenta to the fetus provides protection until the baby can receive the vaccine independently.
Protecting the mother herself from pertussis infection, preventing her from transmitting the disease to the infant.

The vaccine given is Tdap, which includes tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis, and sometimes polio. These vaccines are considered safe and effective for pregnant women. The vaccine should be received in each pregnancy to maximize protection for the fetus.

How Can You Get the Vaccine?

You can purchase the vaccine at a Leumit pharmacy for a nominal fee (doctor's prescription required) and then receive it at the clinic.

Are There Side Effects to the Vaccine?

Possible side effects after receiving the vaccine may include local redness, pain, or swelling at the injection site. General side effects such as nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, fatigue, dizziness, headache, and fever are also possible. Allergic reactions are extremely rare. These are usually mild side effects that resolve quickly.

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GBS test while pregnant

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Late prenatal ultrasound screening

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Evaluation of Fetal Weight

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Excessive Pregnancy Monitoring

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Chorionic Villus Sampling (CVS)

The Detection of Chromosomal Abnormalities in the Fetus

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Alpha-Fetoprotein (AFP) Test - Triple Marker Test

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NIPT - Noninvasive Prenatal Test

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Biochemical Screening Tests - First Trimester

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Antenatal Ultrasound Scan

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Recommended tests and screenings during pregnancy

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Leumit MOM - A Pregnancy and Birth Support Center

Leumit MOM - a dedicated center for women during pregnancy and the first six weeks after giving birth, which gives you a personal and unique service experience through personal accompaniment.

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The Delivery Room

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