My ob said today i should not let any adult around my newborn who did not have pertussis vaccine. agree? how long before baby protected? 2mos? 4?

Clarification: Centers for disease control recommends that mothers recieve tdap between 26-37 weeks pregnancy and that all household contacts- parents, siblings, grandparents and babysitters are immunized. Your infant has maximum protection after their booster shot (4th shot in series). It is estimated that household members account for 80% of infant pertussis infections. Flu shots for family members also wise.

Those most at risk: Pertussis is most often fatal to those infants infected under 4-6 months of age.A few weeks after their first dose of the vaccine, most have acheived enough protection to avoid that outcome. Their full protection requires completion of the series, and regular boosters throughout life. Because of the vaccine refusals over the past decade, more pockets of pertussis are emerging all over the country.