Are you getting a flu jab?
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Topic: Are you getting a flu jab?
Posted By: kate30
Subject: Are you getting a flu jab?
Date Posted: 11 March 2011 at 10:02pm
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Hi all, I've read conflicting reports about getting a flu jab while you're pregnant. Most say it can be a little risky if you're in your 1st trimester but after that it's fine. I rang my medical centre today about it and the nurse told me not only is it fine but they actually recommend it for pregnant women, as if you were to get a strain of swine flu while pregnant it is very risky to you and your baby's health.
So I've booked in to get a jab on Monday morning (I'm 17 weeks on Sunday), but am still feeling a little nervous about it. Who else is getting one? |
Replies:
Posted By: fallen
Date Posted: 11 March 2011 at 10:35pm
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I spoke to my MW about it yesterday and she said pretty much what you just said. So mine is booked for Friday along with ones for both my kids (both asthmatics). Plus I work in a pharmacy so maybe at higher risk of being exposed to a person with a flu. ------------- |
Posted By: _SMS_
Date Posted: 12 March 2011 at 7:40am
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Nope i wont be getting one. I dont usually get one anyway.
Of course people of the health profession will tell you they are fine and safe to take, id personally do my own research into how safe they are before getting it. But thats just me. -------------  
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Posted By: rachelsea
Date Posted: 12 March 2011 at 7:43am
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I don't know... When I was pregnant with DD I was told by my Dr they were NOT safe to get while pregnant, so not sure what has changed in two years to make them suddenly recommended. I usually do get one though because I'm asthmatic, so will get around to doing some research on it, otherwise will wait till after the baby is born. ------------- DD 4yrs DS 2yrs http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow"> 
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Posted By: cuppatea
Date Posted: 12 March 2011 at 8:20am
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I would ask to read the package insert before you get it, then you will read it's not been tested in pregnant women and isn't recommended.
Edited to add info Quote from vaccine insert Adequate human data on use during pregnancy and adequate animal reproduction studies are not available. However, as with all inactivated viral vaccines, the risks to the fetus are considered to be negligible. FLUARIX should be used during pregnancy only when clearly needed. Adequate human data on use during lactation and adequate animal reproduction studies are not available. There is no known contraindication in the use of FLUARIX during lactation. medsafe copy of insert. http://www.medsafe.govt.nz/profs/datasheet/f/Fluarixinj.pdf The other vaccine available is now saying that it has been tested on pregnant women and is safe but I would want to look into exactly what that research was first, if it was me. Personally not getting it. ------------- 
 
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Posted By: tropics
Date Posted: 12 March 2011 at 9:21am
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My obstatricians toilets have a poster saying have you had your flu jab yet? so I spoke to my ob about it, he said perfectly safe and would recommend that I get it ------------- http://lilypie.com">    [/url]
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Posted By: nicandtyler
Date Posted: 12 March 2011 at 1:42pm
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I'm not pregnant so cant comment on it from that aspect but I had a couple of friends get the flu jab last year and they ended up getting the flu! ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
http://lilypie.com"> 
 April '11
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Posted By: Kalimirella
Date Posted: 12 March 2011 at 3:03pm
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I won't be getting it, but then again I got at least one strain of the swine flu when it first came out and haven't had the flu at all since then so I'm thinking I'm immune to the current strain already.
On the other hand a lot of people I know, never get the jab and the one year they did, they got the flu...go figure. And to go with cuppatea said, they often CAN'T test it on pregnant woman or animals because it is unethical. So basically when they recommend we take it, we are being the test subjects... ------------- Kiara is 3 and Teagan is 2, now we're expecting our long awaited 3rd! http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow"> 
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Posted By: meganflett
Date Posted: 12 March 2011 at 6:55pm
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I wont be, i have never had the flu my entire life and i believe the chances of getting sick from the jab aren't worth it....hubby is asthmatic and has never had it and has always been fine....I am unemployed and dont really go out very often so the chances of me coming in contact with it aren't very high anyway ------------- 
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Posted By: Whateversville
Date Posted: 12 March 2011 at 7:22pm
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I waited last year until I'd had DS. I think I got it the same time DS got his 6wk jabs.
The flu jab IS the flu, so that'll be why some people get sick! But alot of them don't actually get the 'flu' many people misdiagnose themselves with the flu when it's just a cold. I don't get sick, but OMG my arm kills me for days. I'm asthmatic too, and the years before I started getting it I got the flu + broncitis every winter. Ment for one very sick me. So I got it done the year b4 baby and last year. And I'll do it this year (but I'm not preg) ANYWAY my point was I waited. I didn't have to wait long before bubs was born anyway. |
Posted By: Lucky apple
Date Posted: 12 March 2011 at 7:40pm
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http://www.ohbaby.co.nz/Forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=31241&KW=h1n1 - Link from last years discussion thread on this...
I started it...it snowballed!! There are a number of takes discussed in it...some for it, some against it....some links to some articles on it too. I didn't think I'd get it initially...but after researching ended up getting it. It worked out fine. It's one of the first of many decisions that get made!!! |
Posted By: Nightingale
Date Posted: 12 March 2011 at 8:25pm
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I asked my midwife last night and she said I should definately get it as the flu can be really bad for our health and the health of our baby. I have asthma so have it every year and have never had the flu since I started having it but getting the flu and bronchitis could be deadly for me (severe asthmatic). I'm still contemplating though but will probably get it. ------------- ME:30 DH: 30 DS#1: Cohen (27.6.2011) DS#2: Due 13th December 2012 |
Posted By: MrsMJD
Date Posted: 13 March 2011 at 2:29pm
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I'm getting it. Not only am I a nurse but also an asthmatic so the risk of getting the flu (esp Swine flu) is very high and the result could be life threatening. I have it every year.
A common side effect of the jab is a couple of days of flu like symptoms (like babies after their jabs, tiredness, headache, low grade fever). Not everyone gets side effects. The vaccine is made up of inactivated pieces of the virus. Another point to remember is that it only contains 3 strains of the flu and WILL NOT protect you from all strains of the flu or the common cold. Personal hygiene practices like hand washing still need to be followed!! (You'd be amazed at the amount of people who think getting the flu shot will make them bullet proof) I agree that it's totally a personal choice and that you should do your own research if concerned about the advice given by your health professional. And even though it makes me sound like one of my former lecturers, make sure the information you are basing your decision comes from credible sources and is based on recent research. ------------- http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow">  
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Posted By: newme
Date Posted: 13 March 2011 at 3:44pm
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I got it when I was UTD with DS2. My DH had the swine flu at the time and was seriously ill (was hospitalised).
But afterwards I was sooo worried about my baby, as it has never been tested on pregnant women. But baby was absolutely fine :) And I didn't catch the flu. |
Posted By: myfullhouse
Date Posted: 13 March 2011 at 4:59pm
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I won't be getting a jab. Mind you I have never had the jab before and never had the flu ------------- Lindsey 
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Posted By: yecats
Date Posted: 13 March 2011 at 6:49pm
| I checked with my midwife and she said it is better to get after the first trimester. Luckily our work ones will be after I finish my first trimester. Have been getting the flu jab for years and never had any side effects. I have had the flu once and never want to get it again - it is just totally draining, you don't want to eat, you don't want to move, it's just horrible. I think it would be worse to go through the flu when pregnant and I would be worried about what it was doing to baby. |
Posted By: kiwikt
Date Posted: 14 March 2011 at 9:39am
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I have never had the flu jab before, because (even though I am very pro immunisation, and have done research on immunisation) I have always been off the opinion that my immune system was strong enough to deal with the flu, as long as I was healthy and looked after myself.
But now I am pregnant I have definitely noticed a change in my immune system. I have had a chest infection for the first time in my life, and am definitely more run down. So I am not sure I could fight the flu off naturally at the moment, and I dont want to be that sick and pregnant. So I will be getting the jab this year. They offer it through my work every year anyway - but I might just get it through the doctors office. ------------- Due 14/10/11 http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: kate30
Date Posted: 14 March 2011 at 7:14pm
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Well I ended up get the shot today and I feel fine so far! I talked to a few friends and one said that she and all her other pregnant friends got the flu shot last year while they were pregnant - except for one. The one who didn't get it caught swine flu and ended up in hospital and the baby nearly died. So I decided it's totally not worth risking catching the flu, as I normally catch some form of flu each year (some strains are worse than others!)
The flu shot is free if you're pregnant and the nurse said they highly recommend all pregnant women get it  ------------- [URL=http://lilypie.com][IMG]http://lbdf.lilypie.com/2qP4p13.png][/URL] |
Posted By: RachFizz
Date Posted: 16 March 2011 at 1:43am
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The thing that makes influenza so dangerous is that it can mutate so easily- this means that even though you had it last year or the year before, you may not be immune when it comes back round again iygwim? Also, they have to kind of guess what strains to put in the vaccine, based on what is going around in other parts of the world. They don't always get it exactly right. I'm not pregnant but if I were, I would get it. But then I'm pro-vaccination in just about every case because I believe the benefits (to the whole community as well) outweigh the risks.. ------------- TTC#1 since Apr11 On hold for study! |
Posted By: myonlineself
Date Posted: 16 March 2011 at 10:30am
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oooh good reminder, I better get mine! I got mine while pregnant last time, so don't want the flu! ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: doggle
Date Posted: 16 March 2011 at 11:00pm
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I'm definitely being vaccinated. You are more likely to die of the flu when you are pregnant. Also high fevers kill unborn babies.
I think the thing about the vaccine not being tested on pregnant women is on most medications because the drug companies are scared of being sued. However, this doesn't mean it's unsafe in pregnancy, it just means they haven't conducted a huge trial. Smaller trials may have been conducted. Plus the flu vaccine has been given to millions of women around the world and vaccines are extensively monitored so any problems would have been picked up. ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: Nightingale
Date Posted: 17 March 2011 at 6:59am
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I'm getting mine today. My midwife was adament that I get it. ------------- ME:30 DH: 30 DS#1: Cohen (27.6.2011) DS#2: Due 13th December 2012 |
Posted By: Tanners
Date Posted: 17 March 2011 at 8:01am
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I'm finding this a tough decision, I never get sick but had the flu jab 5 years ago and was bed ridden for a week, even my arm that got the injection was painful for days afterwards. From what I understand don't they inject you with some form of the flu so you build up antibodies to it?
In my case am I better to risk not getting the jab? Any thoughts ladies? ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: Nightingale
Date Posted: 17 March 2011 at 8:09am
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So hard Tanners, I really battled with my decision but in the end decided to have it because I've had it for the last 8 years or so with no issues whatsoever (except a tender arm) and I also have asthma so the risk of flu on my health is much higher. Good luck! Can you speak to your MW about it and ask her (congrats on getting one finally too! Woohoo!) ------------- ME:30 DH: 30 DS#1: Cohen (27.6.2011) DS#2: Due 13th December 2012 |
Posted By: Tanners
Date Posted: 17 March 2011 at 8:15am
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Thanks Nightingale, great you've never had any side effects from the jab and with your asthma can see why they would recommend it. As you say I might call my midwife (yay finally) and see what she says. Hey check us out 24 and 26 weeks along, so amazing to be here! ------------- http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: Nightingale
Date Posted: 17 March 2011 at 8:20am
 Tell me about it!------------- ME:30 DH: 30 DS#1: Cohen (27.6.2011) DS#2: Due 13th December 2012 |