Baby's First Vaccine

The scientist in me is sort of weirdly proud of the fact that my baby's first first is a vaccine.

A few weeks back, the doctor told us that we needed to make sure we were up to date on our whooping cough vaccine and to tell our friends and family the same. Anyone who was going to be spending significant time around the baby and hadn't had a booster in ten years was supposed to get one. So we spread the word and Kevin made an appointment to get his booster and a basic physical, during which he discovered that he'd had the booster just a few years ago.

This prompted me to call the doctor, and, sure enough, I'd received the booster just last year. I happily checked one more thing off the to-do list and didn't give it another thought.

Until the next doctor's appointment, when I was asked if I'd gotten the booster. I explained that I'd had it a year ago, and my doctor said I needed it again anyway. It turns out you're supposed to get one every pregnancy, between weeks 27 and 36, to pass the immunization on to the baby. It's not perfect, but it provides some protection until the kid can get a vaccine of his own (which I think happens at 2 months).

So after my appointment, I got to trek out and get the TDAP booster. Which was basically a non-event. I also have to get the flu shot before I give birth, but my doctor said to wait a couple more weeks for that, so I cover more of flu season. But I'm pleased to be starting off the kid's life the right way, getting his vaccinations started before he's even born. No preventable diseases here.