The arrival of a new baby is an exciting time for a family. Everyone is eager to meet the new arrival and keen for a cuddle, but it can be an anxious time for parents of newborns, especially before the baby has had their important first rounds of vaccinations.
Immunisation is one of the most effective and cost-effective public health interventions, with immunisation programs preventing around 2.5 million deaths each year worldwide. Vaccination can protect both the people vaccinated and those who are not immune by increasing the level of immunity within the community. Known as ‘herd immunity’, this minimises the spread of infection.
Whether you choose to be vaccinated as an adult is a matter of personal choice. But it’s worth considering that newborns have little to no immunity against diseases that could cause serious illness or even death. So, if someone close to you is having a baby, it’s worth considering getting vaccinated.
To find out which immunisations are important to help protect your little loved one, we asked pharmacist Melissa Gannon from Priceline Pharmacy for her professional guidance on the Australian government’s recommendations.
If someone close to me is pregnant, do I need to get vaccinated?
“The Australian government recommends that adult household contacts and carers of infants under six months of age receive a whooping cough vaccine (also known as a Pertussis vaccine) at least two weeks before they have close contact with the infant” says Melissa.
“By getting vaccinated, you can help protect that little bub through what is sometimes called ‘cocoon vaccination’, where the immediate people around a person (in this case a newborn) all commit to receiving vaccinations to help reduce the risk of the person becoming infected.”
Melissa also suggests speaking to your pharmacist about whether it would be advisable for you to get an Influenza, COVID-19 or other vaccination.
Is it more important to be vaccinated before or after the baby’s born?
“Some vaccinations like the whooping cough vaccination (also known as a Pertussis vaccine) takes some time to build full immunity,” Melissa told The Weekly. “This is why you should consider speaking to your Priceline Pharmacist or healthcare provider before the infant in your life is born. You may also consider getting vaccinated to help protect the pregnant woman in your life.”
If I’m already vaccinated, do I need a booster?
“Whether or not you should get a booster or vaccinated depends on many individual factors” says Melissa. “To make sure that you have considered all of the options, it’s best to discuss all vaccinations with a healthcare professional – your pharmacist is a great place to start.”
Speaking generally, Melissa outlines these recommendations by the Australian government.
- Whooping cough: If an adult has not been vaccinated against whooping cough in the previous 10 years, they should receive their vaccination at least two weeks before they have contact with a newborn, baby, or child under six months of age.
- Influenza (flu): Vaccination is recommended for all people over six months of age from April onwards for protection for the peak flu season, which is generally June to September.
- Chickenpox: Vaccination is recommended by the Australian Government for children aged from 12 months to 14 years; adolescents 14 years or over; and adults who have not received two doses of varicella-containing vaccine, particularly healthcare workers, childhood educators and carers and people who work in long-term care facilities. Once you have had the recommended Chickenpox vaccinations, in most cases you do not need additional boosters. If you are unsure about your vaccination history, speak to a healthcare professional.
- COVID-19: For the best protection, staying up to date with vaccine doses is recommended and you can find ATAGI recommendations on boosters here.
How can I find out if my vaccinations are up to date?
If you’re not sure whether you’re a candidate for vaccination, it’s easy to find out. Most vaccinated people who are Australian residents will have a full vaccination history available to view via their Medicare account.
If I need to get vaccinated, what’s the process?
If you are expecting to have close contact with a newborn or pregnant woman, it is a great idea to book a vaccination consultation and you can do this through your GP or pharmacy, if they offer vaccinations.
If you visit a Priceline Pharmacy for a vaccination, the pharmacist will talk you through your vaccination history and help you identify any gaps that may exist.
They can also talk you through your options when it comes to protecting the people in your life including pregnant women, elderly people, infants and those who are immunocompromised.
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