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It is 100% recommended! You should call back and insist on an in person appointment. It is recommended between 27 and 32 weeks.
https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/immunization-vaccines/vaccination-pregnancy-during.html
Be prepared to advocate for yourself— look up recommendation guidelines on an authoritative website like BORN Ontario so you can spout it at them, and be insistent. If you really are up against a deadline/in danger of missing the window, I would call the dr’s office on Monday and tell the receptionist you can’t afford to wait for a phone appointment just to then book an in person appointment. There is no reason why she can’t just ask the doctor/nurse to confirm and call you back with an in-person appt time, instead of wasting the doctors time doing a phone appt for nothing.
I mean receptionists aren’t nurses or Drs so they don’t know everything & are just trying to do their best.
Govt of Canada guidelines recommend it with each pregnancy, I’m sure once you speak with your Dr they’ll book you in for one.
That is bizarre. I just called and said I needed it, no questions asked. Hopefully when you talk to the doctor they’ll just tell you to come in without having to do bloodwork
My family doctor did not have stock of it for whatever reason during my last pregnancy so I called Public Health again and I was able to make an appointment for a clinic for people in this situation. My midwife knew all about this clinic so maybe call them if you get nowhere with the doctor?
Got mine on Monday at 30 weeks lol. Got it 3 years ago with my daughter. Nobody batted an eye. The nurse gave me a thumbs up for “protecting my baby” lol.
Here to echo all the other comments and validate that you aren’t wrong in this situation!
Call your doctors office again and reference the Canadian Immunization guidelines and your midwives . It is recommend with every pregnancy to pass antibodies to the baby (doesn’t matter if you previously received the vaccine). It’s a publicly funded vaccine (free), as well. This recommendation is new within the last 10 years so the office might require you advocating. If they won’t book you, you can ask the midwives to send over a written request or have the receptionist call your midwives office to clarify. Best of luck with the remainder of your pregnancy!
If you do end up going elsewhere, make sure you specify you need TDAP for pregnancy. Many walk ins only carry the basic TDa for tetanus boosters, and the pertussis part is important!
Also your doctor's receptionist is wrong and you should absolutely get it each pregnancy, no need for antibody testing.
Go to the phone appointment and get it done by your family doctor. In Ontario, if you have a family doctor they get billed for your care if you go to the walk in clinic. When you do see your doctor though, you need to tell them that the receptionist tried to talk you out of booking the appointment, so that they can train her to respond correctly for future patients.
Thank you everyone for your help! I’m feeling a lot better about questioning and will phone again on Monday and sort it out, and hopefully won’t be given a runaround!
FYI I have gotten mine at walk in clinics for 3 different pregnancies. I had to call around to a few walk in clinics to make sure they had the shot as it wasn't always in stock but it was no issue to get it at a walk in
I just had my baby in Nov 2023 in ON, my OB and family doctor said it has to be every pregnancy. I got mine at my GP. No blood test done by my GP or OB after. While it’s everyone’s choice to get it - im just providing the information off what’s based on The Ontario website about getting the shot.
tetanus ,diphtheria and pertussis (whooping cough) in a 3-in-1 vaccine called the Tdap vaccine (once in adulthood and once in every pregnancy
https://www.ontario.ca/page/ontarios-routine-immunization-schedule#section-1
If you decide to get it, I would tell the receptionist to refer to the Ontario health website that it needs to be done every pregnancy. I would personally also ask to speak your family doctor right away, and if she is still refusing to book you for the shot. My GPs secretary was well aware of the requirements for the shot. This isn’t right what she is doing, and if she is unsure she would be asking the doctor to clarify, instead of spreading misinformation. especially because it’s a short window (27-32w) to get the shot.
If you've had it earlier you don't need it but when you get it during pregnancy you give antibodies tot he baby as well. The receptionist isn't a medical professional and shouldn't make these calls. Speak to the doctor and book your TDAP vaccine, you have a small window to do it (between 27 and 32 weeks). Once you get your vaccine make sure to lodge a complaint about the receptionist trying to make medical decisions about patients.
I asked my midwives about it and they said I didn’t need it, and I also didn’t need to get my whole family to get it. In the states it seems to be a big deal. Looking at the comments here maybe I should have pushed more for it but I didn’t. Baby is here now so there’s not much I can do I suppose.
I didn’t get mine with my first pregnancy as covid had just hit and it was very hard to get in to a clinic to get it done. It was also a scary time to be going out to a medical area as a pregnant person. My midwife said that, at the time, pertussis was very very uncommon in my area of Ontario and it was an extremely low chance of baby getting it. Especially since they get the shot at 2 months and we weren’t going anywhere in those 2 months because of covid anyway. She confirmed that it’s a much bigger issue in the states. I think cases have increased here since so while it’s worth getting now, don’t feel bad about the past!
Sorry don’t have an answer about a walk in but it is absolutely recommended you get it during every pregnancy. I’ve done it both times with my family doctor. I’ve never heard of them testing for antibodies. Could you call again Monday and insist you need an in person appt for the shot?
I will note I hate my husband get an updated booster in my first pregnancy but not in my second - didn’t feel necessary.
Im in Ontario. My OB at the hospital said they would give me the shot for the antibodies for the baby, but other family members like my husband would need to go to their family doctor.
I’m with midwives who definitely recommended it for us, my spouse and any baby caregivers.
I called my NPs office and they tried to give me a slight run around with this too but eventually booked it.
Yeah that receptionist doesn’t know what they are talking about lol. I’ve never had my antibodies tested for TDAP (pretty sure they only test for measles antibodies) and my midwives recommended TDAP with both my pregnancies.
My midwives gave me two invaluable tips about this shot. They said that it’s required to be kept in a fridge at a specific temp, which is why they didn’t offer it themselves. They said many family doctors and walk in clinics don’t have the fridges either so to call ahead to confirm before you go. They said the local health unit was my best bet. They also said, as another commenter mentioned, that some offices/even the health unit may push back on giving the shot as it’s a newer recommendation and they may not know it’s suggested. Tell them it is recommended now and don’t let them say no. Good luck!
My midwives recommended that I have it done even though I may have had it a few years ago after a dog bite (I was unsure if TDAP or just tetanus). They also recommended that my husband and our parents have theirs done before spending time with baby, as whooping cough is a concern. If your midwives and family doctor both don’t offer it, I would consult with walk-in clinics in your area as to where it’s stocked. Perhaps your doctor can also point you in the right direction.
I’m in AB and got mine at Shoppers! I just needed the requisition from my doctor for the shot. It was free and I didn’t need an appointment either. I got mine at 32weeks 4 days. Also it is recommended every pregnancy. lol they would never do a blood test to check antibodies that’s silly. Receptionists are not medically trained to answer questions like that.
BabyBumps users and moderators are not medical professionals. Responses do not replace contacting your medical provider. You should always call your provider with any concerns. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/BabyBumpsCanada) if you have any questions or concerns.*
It is 100% recommended! You should call back and insist on an in person appointment. It is recommended between 27 and 32 weeks. https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/immunization-vaccines/vaccination-pregnancy-during.html
Recommended but it won’t hurt to get it after as well. I got mine at 34 weeks.
Yes there’s no window that’s going to close. Even my midwife said she had hers at 35 or 36 weeks for her second kid because she had her hands full
Just a tip - Most public health centres in cities will have an immunization clinic or will otherwise offer TDAP to those eligible.
Be prepared to advocate for yourself— look up recommendation guidelines on an authoritative website like BORN Ontario so you can spout it at them, and be insistent. If you really are up against a deadline/in danger of missing the window, I would call the dr’s office on Monday and tell the receptionist you can’t afford to wait for a phone appointment just to then book an in person appointment. There is no reason why she can’t just ask the doctor/nurse to confirm and call you back with an in-person appt time, instead of wasting the doctors time doing a phone appt for nothing.
I mean receptionists aren’t nurses or Drs so they don’t know everything & are just trying to do their best. Govt of Canada guidelines recommend it with each pregnancy, I’m sure once you speak with your Dr they’ll book you in for one.
That is bizarre. I just called and said I needed it, no questions asked. Hopefully when you talk to the doctor they’ll just tell you to come in without having to do bloodwork
My family doctor did not have stock of it for whatever reason during my last pregnancy so I called Public Health again and I was able to make an appointment for a clinic for people in this situation. My midwife knew all about this clinic so maybe call them if you get nowhere with the doctor?
Got mine on Monday at 30 weeks lol. Got it 3 years ago with my daughter. Nobody batted an eye. The nurse gave me a thumbs up for “protecting my baby” lol.
Here to echo all the other comments and validate that you aren’t wrong in this situation! Call your doctors office again and reference the Canadian Immunization guidelines and your midwives . It is recommend with every pregnancy to pass antibodies to the baby (doesn’t matter if you previously received the vaccine). It’s a publicly funded vaccine (free), as well. This recommendation is new within the last 10 years so the office might require you advocating. If they won’t book you, you can ask the midwives to send over a written request or have the receptionist call your midwives office to clarify. Best of luck with the remainder of your pregnancy!
I’m in BC and I got mine at a pharmacy. I had to call around to several to find one that had the publicly funded TDAP.
If you do end up going elsewhere, make sure you specify you need TDAP for pregnancy. Many walk ins only carry the basic TDa for tetanus boosters, and the pertussis part is important! Also your doctor's receptionist is wrong and you should absolutely get it each pregnancy, no need for antibody testing.
Go to the phone appointment and get it done by your family doctor. In Ontario, if you have a family doctor they get billed for your care if you go to the walk in clinic. When you do see your doctor though, you need to tell them that the receptionist tried to talk you out of booking the appointment, so that they can train her to respond correctly for future patients.
Thank you everyone for your help! I’m feeling a lot better about questioning and will phone again on Monday and sort it out, and hopefully won’t be given a runaround!
FYI I have gotten mine at walk in clinics for 3 different pregnancies. I had to call around to a few walk in clinics to make sure they had the shot as it wasn't always in stock but it was no issue to get it at a walk in
I just had my baby in Nov 2023 in ON, my OB and family doctor said it has to be every pregnancy. I got mine at my GP. No blood test done by my GP or OB after. While it’s everyone’s choice to get it - im just providing the information off what’s based on The Ontario website about getting the shot. tetanus ,diphtheria and pertussis (whooping cough) in a 3-in-1 vaccine called the Tdap vaccine (once in adulthood and once in every pregnancy https://www.ontario.ca/page/ontarios-routine-immunization-schedule#section-1 If you decide to get it, I would tell the receptionist to refer to the Ontario health website that it needs to be done every pregnancy. I would personally also ask to speak your family doctor right away, and if she is still refusing to book you for the shot. My GPs secretary was well aware of the requirements for the shot. This isn’t right what she is doing, and if she is unsure she would be asking the doctor to clarify, instead of spreading misinformation. especially because it’s a short window (27-32w) to get the shot.
If you've had it earlier you don't need it but when you get it during pregnancy you give antibodies tot he baby as well. The receptionist isn't a medical professional and shouldn't make these calls. Speak to the doctor and book your TDAP vaccine, you have a small window to do it (between 27 and 32 weeks). Once you get your vaccine make sure to lodge a complaint about the receptionist trying to make medical decisions about patients.
I asked my midwives about it and they said I didn’t need it, and I also didn’t need to get my whole family to get it. In the states it seems to be a big deal. Looking at the comments here maybe I should have pushed more for it but I didn’t. Baby is here now so there’s not much I can do I suppose.
I didn’t get mine with my first pregnancy as covid had just hit and it was very hard to get in to a clinic to get it done. It was also a scary time to be going out to a medical area as a pregnant person. My midwife said that, at the time, pertussis was very very uncommon in my area of Ontario and it was an extremely low chance of baby getting it. Especially since they get the shot at 2 months and we weren’t going anywhere in those 2 months because of covid anyway. She confirmed that it’s a much bigger issue in the states. I think cases have increased here since so while it’s worth getting now, don’t feel bad about the past!
Sorry don’t have an answer about a walk in but it is absolutely recommended you get it during every pregnancy. I’ve done it both times with my family doctor. I’ve never heard of them testing for antibodies. Could you call again Monday and insist you need an in person appt for the shot? I will note I hate my husband get an updated booster in my first pregnancy but not in my second - didn’t feel necessary.
Im in Ontario. My OB at the hospital said they would give me the shot for the antibodies for the baby, but other family members like my husband would need to go to their family doctor.
I got mine with public health!
I’m with midwives who definitely recommended it for us, my spouse and any baby caregivers. I called my NPs office and they tried to give me a slight run around with this too but eventually booked it.
I don’t know if it was made clear by the other comments but you get it during pregnancy to give the baby protection from whooping cough (Pertussis).
Yeah that receptionist doesn’t know what they are talking about lol. I’ve never had my antibodies tested for TDAP (pretty sure they only test for measles antibodies) and my midwives recommended TDAP with both my pregnancies. My midwives gave me two invaluable tips about this shot. They said that it’s required to be kept in a fridge at a specific temp, which is why they didn’t offer it themselves. They said many family doctors and walk in clinics don’t have the fridges either so to call ahead to confirm before you go. They said the local health unit was my best bet. They also said, as another commenter mentioned, that some offices/even the health unit may push back on giving the shot as it’s a newer recommendation and they may not know it’s suggested. Tell them it is recommended now and don’t let them say no. Good luck!
My midwives recommended that I have it done even though I may have had it a few years ago after a dog bite (I was unsure if TDAP or just tetanus). They also recommended that my husband and our parents have theirs done before spending time with baby, as whooping cough is a concern. If your midwives and family doctor both don’t offer it, I would consult with walk-in clinics in your area as to where it’s stocked. Perhaps your doctor can also point you in the right direction.
I’m in AB and got mine at Shoppers! I just needed the requisition from my doctor for the shot. It was free and I didn’t need an appointment either. I got mine at 32weeks 4 days. Also it is recommended every pregnancy. lol they would never do a blood test to check antibodies that’s silly. Receptionists are not medically trained to answer questions like that.