I had a conversation with a pregnant patient the other day.  She said her OB was pushing her to get the pertussis vaccine to protect her unborn baby.  She was very reluctant and hesitant but asked me what I thought?

You know what?  It’s doesn’t really matter what I think.  Let’s go to the literature. Here is the Tripedia – DPT Vaccine that I will reference as literature.  You can also get it off the FDA website.

When someone asks if they should get it, especially when it comes to pregnancy and unborn children, they are asking, “is it safe?” I can only answer, “I don’t know…but neither do they?”

This is from the document itself.  I do love that it says NOT to give it to pregnant women, yet OBs across the nation push this on unknowing expectant mothers.  If you’re searching for this statement, it’s on page 6, about 1/2 way down.

Pregnancy Category C Animal reproduction studies have not been conducted with Tripedia vaccine. It is not known whether Tripedia vaccine can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman or can affect reproductive capacity. Tripedia vaccine is NOT indicated for women of child-bearing age.

Maybe you’re not pregnant but your pediatrician is pushing the DPT to your kids and you’re just not sure if it’s safe for the kids.  Again, look to the same literature.  This time, scroll down to page 11.

Adverse events reported during post-approval use of Tripedia vaccine include idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, SIDS, anaphylactic reaction, cellulitis, autism, convulsion/grand mal convulsion, encephalopathy, hypotonia, neuropathy, somnolence and apnea. Events were included in this list because of the seriousness or frequency of reporting.

I want you to key in on the ‘post-approval’ phrase as these are reported by you, the parent, to the VAERS database.  The real study for these vaccines happens when they are unleashed on millions in the general public, where they can’t control for certain factors.

The events were reported due to the seriousness or frequency of reporting.  It’s estimated only 10% of adverse reactions are ever reported.  There are many more reactions that get swept under the table.

Your kid might be fine after getting this shot.  Your kid might not be fine after getting this shot.  It’s your job as a parent to weigh the risks of the chances of getting Diphtheria, Pertussis, or Tetanus vs. the chances of having an adverse reaction like purpura, SIDS, autism, and seizures (notice how they use the word convulsion instead of seizure?).

I personally don’t care if you get shots or not.  What I care about is that you don’t make decisions blindly nor go into these decisions lightly.