I looking to see what the general consensus is on getting the H1N1 vaccine while pregnant. I am 7.5 weeks along and have the opportunity to received the vaccine(not the live nasal spray)where I work as part of a high-priority group since I am pregnant. Looking back 2 yrs ago when I was pregnant with my now 18 month old, I battled and agonized with the decision to get the seasonal flu vaccine. It took me three weeks, but I decided to do it at my OB's strong urging and everything turned out fine. No side effects and my son was born healthy. I am really having a very hard time coming to a decision about this new vaccine for the very fact that it is so new. I am the kind of person that doesn't even like to take Tylenol while pregnant and the thought of getting this new shot with so little info out there scares the hell out of me? What is further complicating this is that I am getting conflicting opinions from people in the medical field. My OB and a good friend who is a pediatrician say go for it, the benefits outweigh the risks, and that since it is the "dead" injected form of the virus, it will be fine. I have 2 friends who are nurses and pregnant as well who are not getting it, who have been advised by their OB's not to do it, and that there isn't enough info about it to determine what the effects of it on a developing fetus could be. If there is anyone out there who is expecting or has had experience with this vaccine and pregnant women I would truly appreciate any feedback you could give me. I am so worried and feel like whatever decision is made, I could potentially be harming my unborn baby. Thanks!
Do not get the vaccine. I would talk to my OB, but I was not allowed to get the regular flu shot while I was in my first trimester, let alone something as serious as the H1N1. I would not get it. I would not get either. I was pregnant in the 1s trimester with both my kids and did not get the shot those yrs. I would not chance it.
h1n1 is like any other flu...so you can get heal from it. not getting the vaccine is better than getting the vaccine and having long term effects from the vaccine. they can be very serious and life altering.
i would not do it- not enough info on it. in fact where i work(in a hospital) it was mandated when it comes out and now mandate is on hold due to a recent court action.
If I were you I would speak to my OB/GYN and my doctor. The two chosen, educated professionals that you trust your life and your unborn child's life with. Then do some research on reputable sites (like the CDC, etc) and make an informed decision.
There is too much misinformation out there (and on here regarding vaccines - no offense intended at all). So get the best info that you can and then decide. I do know that the virus is particularly bad for pregnant woman and kids under 3.
Good luck with your decision and with baby #4 - how exciting for you and the whole family.
I just put out the same question. Only I am further along (27 weeks). I find it hard myself to come to a decision but lean towards not getting it. I don't feel that the CDC is a neutral forum to get information these days. To me it seems that they want to stop the virus to spread - no matter what and they use the media to spread fear among the people. My OB recommended I take the shots but also said that professionally he has to recommend it. As for the trust, I am from Germany where you have a more personal relationship with your doctors and they really take more time and get to know you better. Over here I honestly don't feel so much trust and rather trust my own feelings. It seems like in America people sue their doctors for anything and of course the doctors don't like to give out personal recommendations if they differ from what their board or other officials say. I think it is hard to get valid information on the vaccines because they haven't been used a lot yet. It is hard to go against it and against your doctor's advice but I also feel that it is very wise to be sceptic on this one. Haven't found an answer for myself yet.
I am almost 22 weeks pregnant, and have opted to NOT get any of the flu vaccines. For myself, and for the rest of my family.
I'm not a medical professional. I'm just a mom who is concerned about the well being of my family. I've spoken to my drs, to our pediatrician, pregnant friends, and I've read countless articles both on the pro and con sides of the issue.
In the end, I have to trust my instincts. I guess that is best we can all do.
We had this conversation last night. My brother-in-law is a trauma nurse and he's in the middle of this debate over the H1N1 virus b/c of his profession. His thoughts... pregnant women (along with a long list of others considered "high risk") are on list b/c of the way in which the H1N1 virus infects the body. Apparently it goes straight into the respiratory system which impacts your breathing and conversely your child's breathing. The dead virus version has been okay so far, but the live virus has been inducing very mild cases of the flu.
Having said that, I had the flu last year at 10 weeks pregnant and it was very very scary. My doctor kept me out of work for almost two weeks b/c of the risk for dehydration and respiratory complications. I was fine, baby was fine but in his opinion (which I respect)- it could have been avoided had I gotten the flu shot.
Let's just say that we ALL got our flu shots this year- baby included. Listen to your doctor. Our son got the flu shot, but will not be getting H1N1 per our doctor's recommendation.
Just my opinion, but I would get it after the first trimester. I never get the regular flu vaccine (so I'm not strongly pro-flu vaccine), but more than 25% of the pregnant women hospitalized with H1N1 ended up dying this year so far (there aren't good numbers on how many have had it but weren't hospitalized). However, I've seen estimates ranging from about a 2% to a 10% mortality rate for pregnant women who get it. That's just too high for my comfort.
While it's a new vaccine, it is made just like the regular seasonal flu vaccine (which is made new every year too), so that doesn't really bother me.
That being said, I wouldn't get it before the end of the 1st trimester. There's just SO much happening in the baby's development during that time that I wouldn't feel comfortable with it. I also would only get the preservative-free vaccine.
If you were ok the last time, there is no reason not to take the H1N1 vaccine. Actually, this flu strain seems to be particularly dangerous for pregnant women.
And this vaccine isn't any newer than any seasonal flu vaccine: the flu strains change every year, so a new vaccine has been created every year for the past 30 years. If the flu vaccine was more dangerous than normal, we'd know it by now. The only reason H1N1 wasn't added to the regular seasonal flu vaccine is that this strain appeared too late for normal production, so they had to create a specific vaccine for it. That whole thing about "new" vaccine drives me crazy, It's ignorance at best, deliberate misinformation at worst. And even Drs, who should know better, participate in it.
Hi Annie.. I agree with the last post. Its just a new strain, not a new vaccine...seasonal flu vaccine is made every year to accomodate the new types of flu strain that are out there... if I were you, I would get it. (BTW...I just had a baby in August and if they had they new about it last winter, I would of gotten it myself!) My son is getting the nasal spray today. Since we have a newborn, my husband and I are going to get it once our dr gets it. Good luck.
if you have an ob that you trust (presumably you used them for your 1st child and everything turned out ok), you should follow their advice. i am also 7 weeks pregnant and saw my ob yesterday who advised that i should get both the h1n1 and the seasonal flu vaccine. she said that the seasonal flu vaccine is "new" every year too, as it is redesigned based on the current strand of the virus each year, so there is really no difference. i trust her and i will be getting both when they are available at my drs office next week. good luck with your decision!
I just heard yesterday that you shouldn't get the shot in your first trimester, and that when you get it later, you should get the live virus, because the dead virus contains preservatives that you don't want to the baby to get. Don't know how much of it is true?
I'm not pregnant but if I were, I would definitely get the vaccine. I've read and seen various news reports that swine flu affects pregnant women more adversely than non-pregnant women. There was a pregnant woman recently (well, last spring) who contracted swine flu, was in a coma for a while, had several collapsed lungs, lost the baby at 27 weeks and, although she lived, is getting tons of P.T. because she is so weak.
Of course, that could happen to anyone, but the studies seem to suggest that pregnant women are more at risk...
I DID get a regular flu shot when pregnant, but I seem to recall having to wait until my second trimester... I could be remembering that wrong though.
Did you already get the seasonal flu vaccine? Because all of the seasonal flu vaccines have the h1n1 vaccine in them. If you go to the fda website and look at the package inserts for all the seasonal flu vaccines, they all list h1n1. I am also pregnant and have chosen not to get the seasonal or h1n1 vaccine. This is my 4th pregnancy and I haven't ever gotten any of them, and I've always been fine. Honestly, I feel that the risks associated with vaccines, especially new ones, far outweigh being sick for a few days with the flu. Also, I have never gotten any of my kids flu vaccines, and we've never had a problem. Everyone I know who has gotten a flu vaccine seems to get the flu a day or 2 after the vaccine. Plus, they honestly don't know which strain of the flu is actually going to happen, and so when they're making vaccines, they're guessing and hoping they get it right. Hope this was helpful
Hi Annie
I have to tell you that I am not pregnant, but I understand your concerns for sure. I was the same way when I was pregnant with my daughter and I hated taking anything.
That said, I was just at the pediatrician's yesterday for my 21 month old daughter to get the seasonal flu shot and I discussed the H1N1 with him.
He does not have it at this time and is not sure if he will get it, but he said if he does, he will give it without reservation b/c the vaccine is made the same as any other seasonal flu vaccine is made. The only thing is that it will be for H1N1. It is not a live vaccine and neither is the seasonal flu vaccine.
I did some research about flu vaccines on the internet and I have not found anything alarming.
Every year scientists try to design a new vaccine for the virus's that they think will be most likey the flu virus for the following year....this year H1N1 is one of them.
I think actually it is a good thing. There is no guessing this time...they know which one is going to invade this year. (and is already for most of the nation)
I think had they made it in the seasonal flu vaccine instead of a seperate shot, people would have less reservations.
My Pediatrician said he WILL NOT give the NASAL version to anyone and advises no one get that one as it is a diluted live version. He said he would never give a live vaccine for the flu.
So my feeling is this...unless a person has been advised by their physician not to get the seasonal flu shot as they might have an underlying health issue where it would be destrimental to them, then there should not be a reason to avoid the H1N1 vaccine.
The more I read up on vaccines in general, the more I am swaying to get it for my daughter.
Her Dr. does not feel she is high risk b/c I am a SAHM and she does not go to daycare, but my husband is always the one to get sick and bring it home to the baby and myself!
Good luck in your decision...you will never feel 100% no matter which direction you go with this.
Any vaccine has it's risks no matter how slight and it is scary when we have to consider our children. We are less anxious when it comes to ourselves than when it is about them!...I know your fears! Believe me!! ;)
Congratuations with your Pregancy and best of everything for your family!
Pattie
Hi Annie,
The scare tactics they are using to convince everyone to get this vaccine are driving me crazy! That being said, I think that overall the vaccine is safe - I would get a version without Thimerosal since you are pg. Thimerosal is a mercury-based preservative, and while the amount of mercury is miniscule, I wouldn't take it pregnant and I wouldn't give it to a young child. I think that is a bigger concern than the nasal spray or injected version.
I would also confirm that there are no adjuvants in the version you get. They have said they weren't going to use them in the US version of the vaccine, but as we hear more and more about vaccine shortage, they may change their minds on that one. The adjuvants are a bigger issue than Thimerosal, they are designed to enhance the body's response to the vaccine, so a smaller amount of vaccine can be used. The problem with adjuvants is they have not all been tested or approved for use in the US, AND they are a possible cause of bad side-effects linked to vaccines.
Finally, I think the decision is very personal and very difficult because of the pressure from the government and the media. I think, if you would normally get the seasonal flu shot while pg, you can get this one (the seasonal flu shot has versions with and without thimerosal as well). My family typically doesn't get flu shots, not out of any "fear" of vaccinations, it's just not something we ever did - kind of unnecessary medicine. You get the flu, you get sick, you get better. In some ways, I think they are using this as a practice run for when the "real bad one" comes along, and I do think the swine flu had the potential to go either way in the beginning. It is still far less deadly than the seasonal flu, BUT the people who are being affected by it are young people. I am on the fence about whether to get my 6yo vaccinated for it or not. So far the school has not sent any info home about it, and I have not been to her pediatrician yet this year to talk to her.
Try this link--- I use the Vaccine Book alternative schedule for my 8 month old because I am paranoid. (he has had the seasonal flu shot) but Dr. Sears does a good job of explaining the swine flu controversy, and how the shot was made. Its interesting, and might make you feel better about it. In a nutshell he does not feel its any safer or riskier than seasonal flu shot---but read on.
Good luck. I'm not sure what I would do in your shoes.
I'm 6 months pregnant with my second child, and had no issues at all getting the seasonal flu shots during both pregnancies, and while I don't like to take Tylenol during pregnancies, I will take it to prevent further illness.
However, there's no way I'm getting the H1N1 shot. Why? Because there ARE no pregnant women who have experience with this! It's totally new and untested, and I am not about to have me and my unborn baby be guinea pigs for it. So while I have no issues taking tried and true treatments, I will not try this. I'm just much more conscious about washing my hands, etc. to prevent infection.