home
RSS
Flu vaccine poses no risk to unborn
January 16th, 2013
05:01 PM ET

Flu vaccine poses no risk to unborn

Fears and misconceptions often surround the flu vaccine: Does it really work? Will it make me sick? Could it hurt my baby?

Researchers from Norway say the last question was a big concern during the 2009 H1N1 pandemic; anecdotal reports of fetal deaths caused many pregnant women to avoid getting vaccinated despite health officials’ pleas.

To determine the accuracy of these reports, the Norwegian researchers analyzed data from more than 100,000 pregnancies during the 2009-2010 flu season. Their results were published this week in the New England Journal of Medicine.

The study found no evidence that the influenza vaccine increased the risk of fetal death in pregnant women. But pregnant women who were diagnosed with the flu - whether they had the vaccine or not - had nearly double the risk of fetal death.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends all pregnant women get the flu shot (the nasal spray vaccine is not recommended for pregnant women) to protect them from the virus. But during the 2011-2012 flu season, only 47% opted to get vaccinated, according to the CDC.

Pregnant mothers are just trying to do what’s right, says Dr. Siobhan Dolan, co-author of March of Dimes’ new book “Healthy Mom, Healthy Baby.” Their fear often stems from the unknown, she says, which is why studies like the one publishing this week are important.

“At this point we have mounting evidence - data and studies - that show it’s not getting the shot that causes the problem, but getting the flu that’s the problem," Dolan says.

Even if you are healthy, changes to your immune system during pregnancy make you more likely to get seriously ill, Dolan says. Pregnant women are more likely to end up in the hospital after an influenza diagnosis, according to the CDC.

Respiratory issues can also pose a danger. If a mother is having difficulty breathing, her baby isn’t receiving enough oxygen. If you do get the flu, Dolan recommends asking your doctor about anti-viral medications that may help.

The CDC says it’s not too late to get the flu shot. The U.S. flu season runs from October to May. Antibodies from the shot will protect you and will be passed on to your baby, providing protection until 6 months of age.

For more information on vaccines, check out www.immunizationforwomen.org.

 Post by:
Filed under: Living Well • Pregnancy • Public Health • Vaccinations • Women's Health
Next entry »
« Previous entry
soundoff (590 Responses)
  1. High Top Van Repair

    Very nice post. I certainly love this website. Keep writing!

    https://viagginrete-it.it/urlesterno.asp?url=ocrvcenter.com/

    June 28, 2021 at 13:02 | Report abuse | Reply
  2. Leisure Travel Van Repair

    Spot on with this write-up, I actually think this amazing site needs a lot more attention. Iíll probably be returning to see more, thanks for the info!

    https://www.coloringcrew.com/iphone-ipad/?url=http://ocrvmotorcoaches.com/

    June 28, 2021 at 16:58 | Report abuse | Reply
  3. RV Repair Shop Near My Location

    https://www.gaelchultur.com/changelang.aspx?url=https://www.ocrvcenter.co/

    June 28, 2021 at 18:25 | Report abuse | Reply
  4. RV Repair Mission Viejo

    https://ads.homedy.com/ads/click?id=79&url=https://www.ocrv.info/

    June 28, 2021 at 22:15 | Report abuse | Reply
  5. RV Repair Near Me Now

    https://alganika.com/bitrix/redirect.php?event1=news_out&event2=https3A2F2Fria.ru2F&event3=CACDC4D0+F5EEF7E5F2+EA+2030+E3EEE4F3+F3E4E2EEE8F2FC+EFF0EEE8E7E2EEE4F1F2E2EE+E7E5F0EDE0&goto=https://ocrv.biz

    June 28, 2021 at 23:43 | Report abuse | Reply
  6. Camper Repair Near Me

    An impressive share! I've just forwarded this onto a co-worker who had been conducting a little homework on this. And he in fact ordered me breakfast due to the fact that I stumbled upon it for him... lol. So allow me to reword this.... Thank YOU for the meal!! But yeah, thanx for spending some time to discuss this issue here on your blog.

    http://brutalrapesex.com/out.php?http://ocrv.rocks/holostyak-stb-2021

    June 29, 2021 at 01:52 | Report abuse | Reply
  7. Pleasure Way Van Repair Shop Near Me

    I have to thank you for the efforts you have put in penning this website. I'm hoping to check out the same high-grade blog posts by you later on as well. In fact, your creative writing abilities has motivated me to get my own website now 😉

    https://business.com.tm/ru/banner/a/leave?url=http://ocrvcenter.co/

    June 29, 2021 at 03:33 | Report abuse | Reply
  8. Collision Repair

    http://local.kbzk.com/__media__/js/netsoltrademark.php?d=ocrv.life

    June 29, 2021 at 06:58 | Report abuse | Reply
  9. RV Repair Near Me

    https://schnaeppchenfuchs.com/guides/checkout/313?target=https://theocrv.com/

    June 29, 2021 at 09:20 | Report abuse | Reply
  10. RV Repair Orange County

    http://outlink.webkicks.de/dref.cgi?job=outlink&url=https://www.www.ocrv.tv

    June 29, 2021 at 11:33 | Report abuse | Reply
  11. RV Repair Shop Near Me

    Aw, this was an exceptionally good post. Spending some time and actual effort to produce a very good articleÖ but what can I sayÖ I procrastinate a whole lot and never manage to get nearly anything done.

    http://clevacances032.clevacances.com/stat.php?langue=fr&id_location=HLOMIP032MS00786&agrement=32MS00786&type_location=meuble&id_departement=032&acces_site=1&url=http://ocrv.rocks

    June 29, 2021 at 11:57 | Report abuse | Reply
  12. Sprinter Auto Repair

    I was extremely pleased to find this web site. I wanted to thank you for ones time due to this fantastic read!! I definitely really liked every part of it and I have you saved as a favorite to see new stuff in your blog.

    https://www.discshop.fi/tracking_tradedoubler.php?url=https://oc-rv.com/

    June 29, 2021 at 13:28 | Report abuse | Reply
  13. Luxury Van Shop Near Me

    https://svc.tds-live.com/manager/siteuser/redirector?ec=09/02/2017-Dreamon,faivolareituoisogniall'Isolad'Elba!&url=http://ocrvcenter.com

    June 29, 2021 at 15:38 | Report abuse | Reply
  14. Sprinter Van Maintenance Shop Near Me

    http://www.sgvavia.ru/go?https://fleetservicesocrv.com

    June 29, 2021 at 17:32 | Report abuse | Reply
  15. Sprinter Repair Shops Near Me

    https://www.alfred-music.com/redirect.php?action=url&goto=ocrvart.com/

    June 29, 2021 at 19:03 | Report abuse | Reply
  16. RV Repair Shops Near My Location

    I like it whenever people come together and share opinions. Great site, continue the good work!

    https://toolstud.io/network/redirect.php?url=https://www.ocrv.store

    June 29, 2021 at 23:29 | Report abuse | Reply
  17. RV Repairs Near My Location

    You made some really good points there. I checked on the web to learn more about the issue and found most individuals will go along with your views on this web site.

    http://www.mailstreet.com/redirect.asp?url=https://ocrv.today/

    June 30, 2021 at 01:08 | Report abuse | Reply
  18. RV Repair Nearby

    https://trainbit.com/changelang.aspx?returnurl=https://ocrv.pro/

    June 30, 2021 at 03:40 | Report abuse | Reply
  19. Luxury Van Repair

    http://ebusiness.unitedwaynwvt.org/epledge/comm/AndarTrack.jsp?A=3A4A602E552831366F697E3E&U=406B2E504A533774692F7E3E&F=http://fleetautorepairshop.com

    June 30, 2021 at 05:29 | Report abuse | Reply
  20. Nissan Luxury Van Repair Shop

    http://www.sgem.pwr.edu.pl/viewscount.php?Path=https://fleetrepairshops.com/

    June 30, 2021 at 09:21 | Report abuse | Reply
  21. RV Repair Shops Near Me Now

    Saved as a favorite, I like your site!

    http://www.odysseetheater.org/jump.php?url=http://ocrv.guru/

    June 30, 2021 at 12:10 | Report abuse | Reply
  22. RV Repair Shop Near Me

    https://abenteuerteam.de/redirect/Index.asp?url=https://ocrvmotorsports.org/

    June 30, 2021 at 13:00 | Report abuse | Reply
  23. Digital Marketing Consultant

    There is certainly a great deal to know about this subject. I like all the points you made.

    https://adserver.merciless.localstars.com/track.php?ad=525825&target=https://internetmarketingwashington.com/

    June 30, 2021 at 14:10 | Report abuse | Reply
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Leave a Reply to Sprinter Auto Repair

Click here to cancel reply.

 

CNN welcomes a lively and courteous discussion as long as you follow the Rules of Conduct set forth in our Terms of Service. Comments are not pre-screened before they post. You agree that anything you post may be used, along with your name and profile picture, in accordance with our Privacy Policy and the license you have granted pursuant to our Terms of Service.

Next entry »
« Previous entry
Advertisement
About this blog

Get a behind-the-scenes look at the latest stories from CNN Chief Medical Correspondent, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, Senior Medical Correspondent Elizabeth Cohen and the CNN Medical Unit producers. They'll share news and views on health and medical trends - info that will help you take better care of yourself and the people you love.