The flu shot can be given in any trimester. However, getting it later in the flu season is better than not getting it all. Q: When is the best time for a pregnant woman to get the vaccine?Ī: Ideally, we would like for them to have the flu shot as soon as it is available, before the virus is increasingly active in the community. However, these symptoms usually last one to two days, and are much less severe than contracting the flu. Many people also experience some soreness in the muscle/arm that the shot was received in. While the body is doing this, you can have a low-grade fever, achiness or headache. Once you receive the shot, the body will begin to make what it needs to fight the virus. Q: Are there any special side effects that pregnant women may experience from the flu shot?Ī: As with any vaccine, no matter if you are pregnant or not you may develop a few symptoms. A recent study showed that pregnant women who receive the vaccine were 50% less likely to develop respiratory illness with the flu. It is important to remember that the flu shot's purpose is not only to try and prevent the flu, it is also to help prevent complications if someone does get the flu. Q: How effective is the flu vaccine for pregnant women and their children?Ī: Effectiveness of the flu vaccine can vary due to changes in the virus each year. It is also present in breast milk, and breastfeeding mothers can continue to give their babies protection after they are born. These antibodies will cross the placenta and provide protection for the baby. With the flu shot, the pregnant mother will develop antibodies, which are the tools needed to fight the flu. It actually provides quite a bit of benefit. Multiple studies have shown that when compared to the general public, there is no increased risk for pregnant women or their child. Is there any instance where this is the case? Is there any risk of miscarriage?Ī: There has been a lot of research and investigation to ensure that flu shots are safe for pregnant women and their unborn children. Q: Many women don’t get the flu shot because they believe it to be unsafe for their child. So, what is keeping mothers away? Traci Gonzales, pediatric nurse practitioner with Texas Children’s Hospital and spokesperson for the American Lung Association, helped debunk some of the biggest misconceptions about the pregnancy and the flu shot. women in this age group are pregnant at any given time each year. In fact, 24% to 34% of women hospitalized since 2010 between the ages of 15 and 44 were pregnant, even though only 9% of U.S. Despite these facts, only about half of pregnant women age 18 to 49 reported getting a flu shot between August 2018 and April 2019. The flu shot has been proven to reduce the likelihood of hospitalization for pregnant women by 40%, and newborns younger than 6 months by an average of 72%. Additionally, any infection caught while pregnant doesn’t only put the mother at risk but can actually cause problems for the unborn infant. It makes sense considering the numerous changes a pregnant woman’s body has to undergo to accommodate a growing baby. During some pandemic seasons we have seen increased hospitalizations, increased respiratory problems, and increased risk of death with the flu for pregnant women. It is flu season, and a recent report suggests that one of the highest risk groups has been neglecting to get this vital vaccine.Īccording to the CDC, pregnant women are more likely to develop severe illness or become hospitalized from contracting influenza.
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