Pregnant Women and the H1N1 Swine Flu Vaccine

Is the Flu Shot Safe for Women During Pregnancy?

Sep 5, 2009

Here are the CDC guidelines for pregnant women and new parents for the swine flu (H1N1) vaccine; both the seasonal flu shot and the H1N1 shot will be available this fall.

According to a recent announcement by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the vaccine currently being developed to prevent "swine flu," or the H1N1 virus, will be recommended and safe for pregnant women and parents with young children.

Why Should Pregnant Women Get the Flu Shot?

Pregnant women are encouraged to receive both the seasonal influenza vaccine and the H1N1 vaccine once it is made available. This is because pregnant women are typically more susceptible to illnesses and infections while pregnant.

In addition, although pregnant women make up only 1% of the general population, they have accounted for about 6% of deaths caused by confirmed swine flu cases.

Women who come down with influenza while pregnant are at a much greater risk of serious complications; the number of pregnant women hospitalized for flu-related illnesses is out of proportion with their prevalence in the general population.

The Type of Flu Vaccine Pregnant Women Should Avoid

According to the CDC, the nasal spray version of seasonal flu vaccines should not be given to pregnant women.

This spray version, a live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV), contains a weakened but living flu virus, and will not cause the flu in healthy individuals ages 2 to 49. The LAIV nasal spray flu vaccine is not approved for use in pregnant women, however.

Pregnant women should get the flu vaccine given as an injection into the arm, containing an inactivated flu virus. This vaccine uses a dead strain of the virus; it has been approved for use in pregnant women and is highly recommended.

There is no need to avoid vaccine doses with the preservative thimerosal, as they have been safely used in vaccinations for pregnant women in the past, but the CDC has announced that thimerosal-free H1N1 vaccinations will also be available.

Avoid Getting H1N1 or Seasonal Flu

Because pregnant women are at a higher risk for getting the flu and for having complications, they should take preventive measures seriously to avoid contracting the virus.

Parents with babies or young children should also be sure to get vaccinated and follow these preventive rules to help keep their children safe. Infants younger than 6 months old cannot be vaccinated, so new parents should be vaccinated.

Information on Pregnancy and Swine Flu

The copyright of the article Pregnant Women and the H1N1 Swine Flu Vaccine in Prenatal Health is owned by Katherine Brind'Amour. Permission to republish Pregnant Women and the H1N1 Swine Flu Vaccine in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Oct 6, 2009 5:25 AM

Guest :

I'm a little fuzzy on how pumping your fetus full of thermasil, squalene, formaldehyde and other very dangerous things can be safe? If you're not allowed to take the vaccine under the age of 6 months then how is it ok for an unborn baby to get it. Are they saying that none of this will enter the baby? It strictly stays in the moms system?

Oct 12, 2009 3:09 PM

Guest :

Is it a deffinent that pregnant women should get both the H1N1 vaccine and the flu vaccine both in the arm and no nasal spray?

Oct 20, 2009 7:18 PM

Guest :

I thought that NAU end EU banned Thimerosol, as it is a mercury based preservative????

Oct 26, 2009 1:06 PM

Katherine Brind'Amour :

Although many women are concerned about potential adverse reactions that may be caused by flu vaccines, due to the preservatives and other ingredients they often contain, the CDC warns that the chances of having serious complications (such as hospitalization, loss of the fetus, or maternal death) from the H1N1 virus are much higher than the chances of having negative reactions to or complications from the vaccine - for both mother and baby. Because of this, the CDC recommends that pregnant women be among the first to get the H1N1 vaccine.

Oct 29, 2009 3:03 PM

Guest :

im still not sure whether i should get the h1 n1 flu shot. im 4 months pregnant and am concerned about any future complications the shot may cause if i get it.

Nov 2, 2009 7:06 AM

Guest :

umm because when the baby is in utero it is protected from all off that by the mother...but when is newborn is unable to protect itself from all of that stff on its own...common sense really...