flu vaccine while pregnant

I didn't know you could get it done, so yes I probably will now I know that. Thanks Jo!

Here is a bit of guff about it and talks about getting vaccinated during preganncy

http://www.medsafe.govt.nz/profs/datasheet/i/influvacinj.htm

I thought about this as it is free through work. Found the statement on the medsafe website that says "Influenza vaccination is recommended for women who are beyond the first trimester of pregnancy (ie, greater than 14 weeks gestation) during the influenza season."

But then I looked on the form that we had to fill out to get it and it had bullet points of who should NOT get the flu vaccination. One of the bullet points said "Pregnant women."

Lol, so two contradicting statements. Don't think I will get it though. Only really wondered about it because the email came round at work.

oh my god people!!! Please get some education on the RISKS of vaccination. There is a WONDERFUL, WONDERFUL book called 'just a little prick' By Hilary Butler, please all pregnant ladies read it BEFORE vaccinating!!!!!!!!!

Sorry if this upsets some people but seriously you are being misinformed if you believe there are no risks with vaccinating.

Freckle I am with you on that one - I would never take the opinion of a book, website or article written by someone on either side of the fence, only by medical professionals who can give me evidence etc.

skp - I do think you could possibly enlighten people on your thoughts on the issue rather than coming in and just blurting that out. I'm pretty sure we're all smart ladies on here and know that everything in life comes with its own risks and rewards.

I just read the panic free pregnancy book... it's written by a usa obgyn so you still have to allow for a different country but he said, that the flu virus is a dead virus and is good to get in the second and third trimester only... I'm not sure about whether i'm pro or con immunisations... but I sure wouldn't want the flu while pregnant! I got broncitis last year and that was just from a cold

Sorry if I offended anyone, but I was seriously in shock that anyone would consider this. I am not here to insult anyone's education at all and have asked many questions on oh baby and had great answers from mums.

My intention was to make people research before believing everything their Dr has said. My DH is also a Dr and he can't believe any Dr in NZ would consider vaccinating while pg safe, vaccines are not ever tested on pg women, they are tested on 100 healthy, normal people and these people are very very well screened before they are admitted into a drug trial. It is impossible to say if it is safe or not as ethically they cannot test, it might not outwardly harm the baby, but what about the effects seen say in 10yrs time? We just don't know for sure....

I also asked my midwife what the standard protocol was for the flu vacc. while pg and she could not believe that it would be recommended either.

Everyone wants a healthy baby so I have no doubt that the intentions are good for vaccinating, however until someone can show me the data and the long term data (and tested on humans, not lab animals) I would much rather suck it up with a little flu then put my baby at any risk. BTW, very good diet is extremely effective at keeping colds and flu away, also there are natural options, maybe talk to a naturopath? So I am sorry if anyone was upset at my reply earlier!

Well, having spoken to my ob and a couple of other drs, the general consensus seems to be that the vaccine is perfectly safe in pregnancy.

For me, there are a couple of things to consider - the first is that pregnant women have slightly higher immunity in general than non pregnant women; the second is that if you do get the flu while pregnant, you can run a high temperature which can have all sorts of negative and serious consequences for the baby. One of those (as I understand it) is cerebral palsy.

So on balance, I'll probably get the vaccine.

skp - I think whatever health issues a child may have 10 years after having a vaccine cannot be pinpointed directly to the vaccine, as you just can't control for other variables.

[QUOTE=freckle] Data on influenza vaccine safety in pregnancy are inadequate

??? My point exactly right?
if you read that journal - pg women should be first in line if there is a pandemic, as far as I know we do not have a flu pandemic in NZ?

Edited by skp

skp - I wasn't agreeing or disagreeing with you in my previous posts - I just advocate people read actual research, rather than books that are obviously biased, and then make their own decisions based on the evidence... personally I wouldn't have it as I am prefer to err on the side of caution when things haven't been completely proven safe and I have never actually had one myself pregnant or not as I don't feel it is necessary for me. However, I believe each person needs to weigh up the pros and cons for themselves and I believe the best way to do that is reading peer reviewed scientific research

...and beth I agree it is quite scary that something can be considered safe and then down the track so not!