Читать книгу Informed Choices in Motherhood - Fiona Lee - Страница 12

There is no conclusive evidence that the vaccine is at all effective at preventing whooping cough, and much more evidence to suggest it actually increases rates of whooping cough (pertussis). One of the main reasons for its ineffectiveness is the fact that those who have had the vaccine can still contract whooping cough, and infect others with it, without having the typical symptoms (in other words they become silent/asymptomatic carriers). This was demonstrated by a 2014 study, which showed that the pertussis (whooping cough) bacteria lingered in the throats of vaccinated baboons for 35 days (Warfel et al. 2014)¹⁶

If a new mother has had the vaccine, she can still potentially be carrying the whooping cough toxin. (It just means she may not show the usual symptoms like the unvaccinated would if they were carrying it). The same applies for any family or friends who may have been vaccinated. Anyone who has had the vaccine can still be a risk to your baby without them even knowing it.

Some safer and more effective options to reduce your newborn’s risk of getting serious infections like whooping cough would be to make sure you breastfeed, increase your Vitamin C intake, and to also limit their exposure to anyone who could be sick, especially anyone who has been recently vaccinated. More about that later!)