flu vaccine while pregnant
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Category: Pregnant
Forum Name: Pregnancy
Forum Description: Pregnant! Wanting to chat to other mums-to-be (or dads-to-be)? Share your thoughts, experiences, and ideas... This is that place!
URL: https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=25289
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Topic: flu vaccine while pregnant
Posted By: MrsMojo
Subject: flu vaccine while pregnant
Date Posted: 18 March 2009 at 12:07pm
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Is anyone having this done? I usually have them every year but last time I was pregnant didn't realise it's perfectly safe for pregnant women once they've passed the first trimester. Apparently it's recommended as it will also provide your baby with immunity during the first 6 months. I am seriously considering it since this year I live with a preschooler who will pick up germy's off other kids and her nana who is not healthy but doesn't want to be immunised. -------------  
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Replies:
Posted By: emz
Date Posted: 18 March 2009 at 1:57pm
| I didn't know you could get it done, so yes I probably will now I know that. Thanks Jo! |
Posted By: SpecialK
Date Posted: 18 March 2009 at 2:39pm
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Yeah, I am seriously considering it, especially with this new strain they are predicting to be really bad this year. It does offer protection to the bub as well for 6 months, which is great with a winter baby!
Am going to check with my on next week when I see him, and go from there. Are there any reasons for NOT having it? ------------- http://lilypie.com">  http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: Red
Date Posted: 18 March 2009 at 3:20pm
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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 |
Posted By: Disco
Date Posted: 18 March 2009 at 3:58pm
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I wouldnt touch the flu vaccine with a barge pole, pregnant or not.
many vaccines still have mercury in them. disco |
Posted By: Delli
Date Posted: 18 March 2009 at 6:50pm
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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. ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: MrsMojo
Date Posted: 18 March 2009 at 8:08pm
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Stacey I got in touch with OK Health (the group that do our vaccinations through work) to clarify that point because I noticed that on the fact sheet too. The reason for that is not that pregnant women shouldn't get a flu vaccine but that they shouldn't get it done through work. They say it's completely safe for a pregnant woman to have the vaccine after the first trimester but it's recommended that you have it done through your GP as your GP has access to your full medical history. Through my work we can either have the vaccine done on site or have it done through our GPs and claim a $25 rebate so I've booked into my GPs and work will pay for it (and in fact even if they wouldn't $30 isn't too bad). -------------
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Posted By: skp
Date Posted: 18 March 2009 at 9:55pm
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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.  ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: freckle
Date Posted: 19 March 2009 at 6:09am
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skp if people are to educate themselves on both the risks and benefits of immunisation I would recommend they read the original research articles rather than somebody elses biased interpretation of it. ------------- mum to 3 lovely girls :D |
Posted By: emz
Date Posted: 19 March 2009 at 4:01pm
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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. |
Posted By: KitKat
Date Posted: 19 March 2009 at 4:10pm
Not true. This is the case in USA- but not in NZ. Mercury based vaccines have also been linked to Autism... but thats another story altogether!!! I agree with you though for other reasons... vaccinations are a personal choice- once you are armed with all the facts, pros and cons. I had the flu vaccine once when I was 19. Got flu anyways and had a really bad asthma attack. Havent gone there since, havent had the flu. PLUS- flu can come in mutate so quickly, you may not be vaccinating against the one you end up exposed to. Would you trust a medication that said 'ok -....but not in the first trimester??? hmmmm- I wouldnt. ------------- 
http://www.littlegreenfruit.blogspot.com - Little Green Fruit |
Disco wrote:Posted By: M2Bee
Date Posted: 19 March 2009 at 9:27pm
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 
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Posted By: AsliC
Date Posted: 25 March 2009 at 8:42pm
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My work is having it done for us all free as well. I called the MW to check if she reccomends it. She told me not to have it.
But remember different stages of pregnancy might be the reason for different oppinions... So check with your MW... skp- that sounded a bit OTT and remember people can get offended when you come up with that reply... Most of us here are educated but still seeking advice from one another. I am sure you are too, as I don't think you are here to insult us... ------------- Asli http://lilypie.com">  
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Posted By: skp
Date Posted: 26 March 2009 at 10:23am
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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! ------------- http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: Bobbie
Date Posted: 26 March 2009 at 5:00pm
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I don't know about pregnancy but I know my GP (who is also a lactation consultant) won't let me have it while I'm breastfeeding. -------------  
 
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Posted By: SpecialK
Date Posted: 27 March 2009 at 9:50am
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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. ------------- http://lilypie.com"> http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: freckle
Date Posted: 27 March 2009 at 10:25am
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I did a very quick search on a database of peer reviewed scientific journals and found this very recent review article - the abstract is below... Ive put the reference at the bottom if anyone wants to get the full article ...
Abstract: In several countries, pregnant women are recommended seasonal influenza vaccination and identified as a priority group for vaccination in the event of a pandemic. We review the evidence for the risks of influenza and the risks and benefits of seasonal influenza vaccination in pregnancy. Data on influenza vaccine safety in pregnancy are inadequate, but the few published studies report no serious side-effects in women or their infants, including no indication of harm from vaccination in the first trimester. National policies differ widely, mainly because of the limited data available, particularly on vaccination in the first trimester. The evidence of excess morbidity during seasonal influenza supports vaccinating healthy pregnant women in the second or third trimester and those with comorbidities in any trimester. The evidence of excess mortality in two previous influenza pandemics supports vaccinating in any trimester during a pandemic. Mak TK, Mangtani P, Leese J, Watson JM, Pfeifer D, (2008) Influenza vaccination in pregnancy: current evidence and selected national policies, LANCET INFECTIOUS DISEASES Volume: 8 (1), 44-52. ------------- mum to 3 lovely girls :D |
Posted By: skp
Date Posted: 27 March 2009 at 8:52pm
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[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? ------------- http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: bluebird
Date Posted: 27 March 2009 at 9:58pm
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They shouldn't be saying that it's perfectly safe when there is next to no evidence to back that up. In any case, it wasn't that long ago that x-rays were considered safe... a lot can change when things are actually tested down the track. ------------- DD1 10/10/04 DD2 10/06/09 |
Posted By: freckle
Date Posted: 27 March 2009 at 10:51pm
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! ------------- mum to 3 lovely girls :D |
Posted By: WestiesGirl
Date Posted: 28 March 2009 at 12:04am
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Just an observation from the Data Sheet on the Medsafe web site, it states its a Category B2 Drug. Correct me if Im wrong, I was under the impression that only Category A drugs were safe during pregnancy? ------------- Our Angel July 08  Gone but not forgotten
And to complete our family, our princess has arrived 
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Posted By: skp
Date Posted: 28 March 2009 at 6:45pm
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Hi Freckle, I totally agree with you and wasn't 'picking' on your post, it was just a really good paper that I wanted to highlight a point.
I think its so great that we can all have these debates on here and everyone have a say. My only hope is that people question and research rather than blindly believing Dr's, midwives etc. Hilary Butlers book is opposing vaccinating, however it is an interesting read as we are so strongly advised to vaccinate in NZ. And her book is more about questioning rather than dictating I feel personally. ------------- http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: emz
Date Posted: 28 March 2009 at 6:52pm
| Rianna my pharmacist told me that some Cat B drugs are safe during pregnancy but they advise caution in the first trimester because generally your body isn't as good with coping as it normally would while it adjusts to the pregnancy. I don't think it's got anything to do with harming the baby, just how the mother might cope IYKWIM. That's what I was told (and it also said it in the guide they have that she showed me). |
Posted By: WestiesGirl
Date Posted: 28 March 2009 at 7:48pm
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Yep it does make sense. Thanks for that. ------------- Our Angel July 08 Gone but not forgotten
And to complete our family, our princess has arrived
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Posted By: skp
Date Posted: 28 March 2009 at 8:58pm
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There is a great page on the IAS website about choosing to vaccinate or not,
the link is http://www.ias.org.nz/GeneralInformation/ChoosingtoVaccinate/tabid/108/language/en-US/Default.aspx it has tips on how to vaccinate in a more 'healthy' way if you choose to vaccinate also ------------- http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: Saffy
Date Posted: 02 April 2009 at 9:32pm
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HI ladies,
This is interesting reading. I'm booked in for a flu 'jab' on Saturday and read pretty carefully before making the call to go ahead with it. Because my immune system is a bit fragile I decided that the benefits of the vaccination outweighed any fears. Also on the note of Cat A/B drugs -I'm taking 2 Category C drugs during this pregnancy, under the watchful eye of an obstetrician and an endocrinologist, because the meds will provide the best possible outcome for my baby. They provided me with LOADS of medical research to read and gave me some time to fomulate a decision based on facts before we proceeded. I feel really comfortable that an educated decision by an educated, well informed mummy to be was made and that I have joined a community of other high risk mummies who sometimes have to make the leap and try things outside the norm in order to achieve best outcomes. Thanks again ladies - I appreciated reading this intelligent discussion. |
Posted By: Polina45227671
Date Posted: 20 March 2018 at 2:23am
| Read this http://motherhow.com/flu-while-pregnant/" rel="nofollow - article |