Flu Shot

[lisac]

Hi there,

I'm curious if you get a flu shot while pregnant. When I had one last year, I developed severe preeclampsia two weeks later (23 1/2wks). Both specialists believe that the flu shot had nothing to do with the PE. Yet I know that everybody has different reactions to vaccines. My doctors have said that CDC recommends the shot, and the flu can be a serious complication of pregnancy.
Have you talked to your doctors about this? I'd love to hear your thoughts.

[julie f]

Lisa,

I've read in numerous articles that pregnant women should be vaccinated but, have never had the shot (pregnant or not). To be honest, it kind of scares me - I know that's just emotion talking and that the vaccine shouldn't pose any danger because it's not a live virus but, I'm still scared of it none the less![:o)] Next time I get pregnant though, I will talk about it with my doctor to see what she thinks, I did come down with a pretty bad case of the flu in my last pregnancy.

I'm curious to see what everyone is doing about this also. Maybe it will calm my fears...[?]

Julie
Zachary James, 7/22/03-7/27/03, born at 26 weeks due to severe pe

[jjbeck]

I have heard of pg woman getting the flu shot, but I have opted not too. But I do not get the shot non pg...as you said everyone reacts differently from the flu shot. My Father and sister had bad reaction from it. My DH got sick too. I know that it is a dead virus.
One of the problems I think, as in the epidemic this year, some strains of these viruses are not the same as the vaccine. Just today, I heard on the news the the vaccine may help somewhat with this new strain, the one in colorado, but won't help completly.
Anyway, let me know if you get it and how it goes.
Jen

[kim]

I got the flu shot during October of last year (I was 7.5 mos pregnant)... My bp was already on the rise, so I can't attribute the shot to the bp. My main concern wasn't that I would get the flu while pregnant, but because of the baby. I certainly didn't want to pass the virus on to her, as a newborn (I was due at Christmas, delivered in Nov).

IF I remember correctly, the flu shot is recommended for women in the 2nd and 3rd trimesters only...

Kim Schwintz
Texas Chapter President

Ainsley Kathryn 11/26/02-36 Weeks Preeclampsia
http://home.austin.rr.com/schwintz

[catherine]

Hi Guys, Kim is correct, flu vaccination is recommended for pregnant women in the 2nd and 3rd trimester. All pregnant women are more susceptible to flu because their immune system is repressed to prevent then responding to the baby as a foreign antigen.

It would be a good idea to get vaccinated this year, pregnant or not. The flu season has come early and has struck hard. Here in AR we've already had a bunch of school closings. Don't forget that kids over the age of 6 months can and should be vaccinated also. Lucy got her shot on her birthday (meanie mommie) and we took Finn to our local state health clinic ($15) because they were crazy busy at his regular clinic (at our Children's hospital). Doing this is even more important if you have a newborn or baby under 6 months at home. You don't want to bring flu home to your baby! One of my close friends here is a pediatric infectious disease specialist. She's seen 4 month olds in the ER with flu and they are soooo miserable. Don't forget your elderly (over 60) family either. They should get a flu shot and also the pneumococcal vaccine which will give them lifetime protection against streptococcal pneumonia (a common complication of flu). I have nagged my parents for years but only succeeded in convincing them when they managed to disrupt their vacation in Spain with a four day stay in hospital when they got pneumonia on top of bronchitis. Yup 'his'n hers' IV poles, so romantic.

Here ends the broadcast on behalf of vaccines everywhere.

Yes, the shot hurt like a !*#%!
No, having the shot won't make flu worse.
No the vaccine works really well, its just that there are new strains of the flu virus every year and the manufacturers have to make an educated guess about what goes in, even if they aren't exactly correct there is enough cross-reactivity that you get benefit in less severe disease.
No I don't make a flu vaccine Laura, I don't work on viruses.

Catherine (37)
DH, Dave (40)
Finn (6)
Lucy (2)
Chloe (7/2/03)

[momathelete]

Catherine,

Ella will be 6 months on Dec 30th,...should I give her a shot then or will the worst be over? I really don't want to give her more shots than I need to. My other 2 kids have the flu shots but I never get sick so I don't need to get one. Honest, I never had the flu nor strep or anything like that. I just get pre-e!! Oh, my sinuses are bad though.



Michelle
mom to Cole Thomas -former 28.5 weeker (3-5-99, 3 lbs)due to HELLP and Madelaine Grace "Lainey" -former 29.5 (10-11-01, 3lbs 4oz)weeker due to Pre-E and had PIH with Elisabeth Rose (Ella) -37 weeker,born June 30th 2003 weighing 5 lbs 12 oz and beautiful.

[catherine]

I have no idea Michelle, I'd ask her pediatrician when you take her. They are so darn vulnerable though!! I've never had the flu either and have usually dodged the shot. However, the folks at work made me see the light. It is so infectious.... I learned a really neat trick from one of my dance class friends, she works at the VA as a rehab specialist. She doesn't let her patients shake hands with her during the flu/cold season, she gives them a quick hug. Hands are germ-laden things. I'm usually pretty reasonable about letting people cuddle my kids but not this year. You can play with Chloe's toes but that is a far as it goes!!!!! It's great that kids get the vaccine now, I live in fear of daycare. Actually the daycare ladies hadn't been to get a shot and I was a bit disappointed... that's my baby you might be infecting Lady!!!!

Catherine (37)
DH, Dave (40)
Finn (6)
Lucy (2)
Chloe (7/2/03)

[twolfgram]

I've gotten a flu shot every year since Jonathan was born (preemie), including last year when I was 5-6 months pg. I don't believe it had anything to do with the abruption. The dr recommended it because Jonathan was a preemie, and I've had the flu and it sucks! I haven't gotten it since I've gotten the flu shot.

Therese Mom to
Jonathan - 28 weeks born 10/4/95
Angel in Heaven - Erik 12/20/02

[deerhart]

I avoid the flu shot because ever year I got one I was always sicker then a dog LOL

This year, everyone got sick over the holiday, including my hubby who did get a flu shot. I *knocks HARD on wood* didn't really get touched, but hubby is sicker then a dog...

Erin

Mommy to Alex and Mason

[mada]

I would absolutley get the vaccine. Both my kids have the flu right now and are on Amatatine and I didn't give them shots because I feel like they get so many vaccines alreay. I am doing it next year. BTW my doctor sais the flu epidemic is the worse she has seen ever. I live in Colorado were it's like the worse....fyi, she said that usually every 15 years or so you see a really bad year and next year shouldn't be as bad.

Mada Harpster

Sam 6-29-00 36weeks P.E.
Ben 11-03-01 No P.E.