Avoid touching your face as much as possible: If you touch your face, eyes, nose, or mouth after you have touched anything that has germs on it (doorknob, computer keyboard, phone, another person, etc. Healthcare professionals should advise all patients to get the flu shot. Another study divided pregnant women into 2 groups: those who received the flu shot and those who didn't. But, it is just that…a personal choice, a family decision. It also means that if you want to get vaccinated early in the season, whether you're in Week 14 or Week 7, you can definitely do it. The flu vaccine is needed every year for two reasons. People are often encouraged to receive the vaccine as soon as it's available. It takes about 2 weeks after the shot for your body to be protected. Pregnancy: During pregnancy and immediately after giving birth, your immune system has been altered in ways that lead to an increased risk of flu complications. Flu shot while pregnant pros and cons chart. According to the CDC, the flu shot (NOT the nasal spray) is not only safe for pregnant women but is recommended. Women included in the study were in their third trimester or new mothers on the postpartum unit, 18+, receiving care at a designated site, and conversant in English or Spanish. Cold & Flu Prevention Who Should Not Get a Flu Shot Most people should receive the flu vaccine, but not all By Kristina Duda, RN Kristina Duda, RN Facebook LinkedIn Twitter Kristina Duda, BSN, RN, CPN, has been working in healthcare since 2002.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists suggests that there is no specific time during pregnancy to get the seasonal flu shot. She also fears both the H1N1 and seasonal vaccines and consequently decides to have only the seasonal vaccine, the one she gets annually at work. There is a needle-less option for people ages 18 to 64. You don't want dad or big brother/sister passing on the flu to your baby either! Flu shot while pregnant pros and cons for women. New England Journal of Medicine, 359(15), 1555–1564. "SHARE" the information but respect their autonomy. "My doctor did not want me to have the vaccines…she gave me advice to wash my hands…". While you may undergo some side effects of the flu shot during pregnancy, don't worry or stress your body as it is normal to have these side effects. Some people may feel tired or weak while their immune system builds antibodies. Even my parents who I consider like of old school, were like, 'don't get the flu vaccine. ' Women in the prenatal setting were less inclined to participate than their post partal counterparts, as the interview could potentially delay their appointment.
If you've ever had an allergic reaction to a flu shot or other vaccine in the past, talk to your doctor first. Adults are most contagious with the flu from 24 hours before symptoms start to three to five days afterward. The flu virus spreads rapidly and easily. Most healthy adults can manage the flu at home. It can't infect the lungs or anywhere in the body with warmer temperatures. Maternal influenza vaccination is underutilized and the missed opportunities prevent protection to two vulnerable populations. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 204(6), S107–S111. I got a flu shot last year: The flu virus mutates rapidly. Influenza is an acute respiratory illness potentially preventable with vaccination. The CDC has toolkits to help healthcare professionals have these conversations. Flu shot while pregnant pros and cons 2019. You'll learn about why it's important to consider all aspects of your own situation when making this decision, as well as what you should discuss with your doctor. Journal of American Medical Association, 303(15), 1517–1525. When the information or the vaccine does not come forth as expected, the women default to no action.
Mylo app will guide you through your whole parenting journey. Some people may worry about getting a flu shot while pregnant because they think it could cause miscarriage. You can read why our customers think it's great here. Theme 6: H1N1—A Benefit and Barrier to the Seasonal Vaccine.
This includes children under 5, adults over 65, pregnant women and people with certain medical conditions such as asthma, kidney or liver disorders, or blood disorders. Listen to your patient's questions and concerns. Several studies have shown that it can help prevent a flu infection for the first couple months of your baby's life. Flu shot while pregnant pros and cons Archives. Some people argue that the risks of getting the flu during pregnancy aren't that high to warrant every mother getting the flu shot. There's a good reason. Many pediatricians were even recommending Tamiflu prophylactically for children in the same family once one was positive for the flu because of how contagious the virus is. The naturalistic paradigm uncovered the multiple realities of the maternal influenza vaccination experience.
Choosing to Opt Out Staying Healthy Summary Frequently Asked Questions The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that pretty much everyone get a flu shot. Impact of influenza on acute cardiopulmonary hospitalizations in pregnant women. While there aren't any cons to getting the flu shot during pregnancy, it's recommended that one consults their doctor to avoid any complications or risks, especially if you have any ancillary health challenges, or undergoing a tough pregnancy. 8 per 10, 000 women. Is It Safe To Get A Flu Shot While Pregnant. Risk of acute respiratory disease among pregnant women during influenza A epidemics. It can dramatically decrease your chances of being hospitalized from the flu. Some fear complications from influenza; they perceive the vaccine as beneficial and consequently accept vaccination. The flu shot can't give you the flu, but it can give you some side effects that mimic the flu.
Protective Effect of Hand-Washing and Good Hygienic Habits Against Seasonal Influenza: A Case-Control Study. American Journal of Epidemiology, 148(11), 1094–1102. Pediatrics E-pub August 30, 2010.
It is true that flu vaccines do not provide 100% protection from the flu for everyone that gets one. There is some evidence to suggest that having the flu within the first weeks of pregnancy may be associated with some birth defects. Panda, B., Stiller, R., & Panda, A. Influenza vaccine is safe for the fetus. You want to be protected before the season starts.
It is important to talk to your doctor and make an informed decision based on your individual circumstances. They just need reminders and encouragement from healthcare providers to make the time. MMWR Recomm Rep. 2022;71(1):1-28. People who have had a severe reaction to the flu vaccine or any of its ingredients. However, the flu vaccine is the best bet against the flu virus. Flu (influenza) vaccine during pregnancy - pros and cons. MacQueen, K. M., McLellan, E., Kay, K., & Milstein, B. Codebook development for team-based qualitative analysis. Pregnant women and infants are two high-risk populations disproportionately affected by influenza and experience increased outpatient visits, hospitalizations, and mortality during inter-pandemic and pandemic influenza seasons [1–5].
Our study supports previous findings and reveals a deeper understanding and interpretation of the behavior and decision-making to accept or reject the influenza vaccine. Flu and Heart Disease and Stroke. There was little difference between primiparas and multiparas uptake and responses. It is important to seek treatment right away, since antiviral medication is most effective when taken within 48 hours of the first onset of symptoms. Pregnant women should get the flu vaccine every year. Guillain-Barré syndrome.
United States National Health Interview Survey. If you experience any severe symptoms after getting the flu vaccine, seek medical attention immediately. For comparison, the 2019-2020 flu vaccine was about 39% effective (due to unusually low flu virus circulation during the 2020-2021 season, effectiveness of the vaccine was not estimated). It's become more widely available and you should be able to find it now. However, it is safe for women to take after they have given birth and are breastfeeding. Their method recommends a physician and nurse pair working together. Pregnant women who attended the low-income hospital-based clinic, or postpartum women at the same hospital, were considered one site. A large 2013 study showed that pregnant women didn't have an increased risk for pre-eclampsia, gestational hypertension or chorioamnionitis after getting the vaccine. Prevent health risks to the foetus.
They are more susceptible to the flu virus. To reduce their threat from family members, women encourage their husbands to obtain the vaccine at work and many do. However, some women did not want to take two vaccines; as the H1N1 vaccine took preference, a barrier to the seasonal vaccine was created. One of the most frequently asked questions that we get from expectant mothers during Flu season is how to best protect themselves and their babies from the Flu. One, the mother herself will be less likely to become ill once the child is born.
Some children between ages 6 months and 8 years may need two doses. There will always be patients who do not want to take the flu vaccine.