Flu shot anyone?

shalenap

A nasty cold this week has reminded me that there is also the flu shot to consider.  Are you getting one?  Second timers - did you get one last time around?  Would you recommend it?  Why/why not?

 

mamadukesof2

I don't have an answer for this, but I am also considering the flu shot. In our area the elderly and pregnant women have the luxury of being first in line for flu shots as it is highly recommended (especially last year with swine flu).  I haven't researched how safe it is of possible side effects, so I am up in the air right now.  

heathert323

I'm not. Every single time I got the flu shot, I got the flu. Haven't had a shot in 5 years, haven't had the flu in 5 years.

katekirschner

I get the flu shot every year for work. I am a pediatric oncology nurse so it is mandatory. That being said every article I read out there recommends pregnant women should get it too. Getting the flu from the shot is a myth. The vaccine is inactivated which means your body can't take the shot and turn it into a live flu virus. Getting the flu while pregnant can make a woman very sick, and can be fatal to the fetus if her fever is high enough. Listen to your doctors and get the flu vaccine!

stargzr77

Yes I will be getting it. I got it my first pregnancy and didn't have any issues with it. Now I have a toddler in full time daycare where all kind of nasty germs come home with her so we will all be getting it. My doctor highly recommended it for pregnant women.

mollymurphy

Yes, I got one last time and I will be getting one again this year.

I would absolutely recommend it: from CDC.gov...pregnant women are #1 on the 'Who Should Get Vaccinated' recommendation list.

Who Should Get Vaccinated

While everyone should get a flu vaccine each flu season, it?s especially important that the following groups get vaccinated either because they are at high risk of having serious flu-related complications or because they live with or care for people at high risk for developing flu-related complications: 

1. Pregnant women
2. Children younger than 5, but especially children younger than 2 years old
3. People 50 years of age and older
4. People of any age with certain chronic medical conditions
5. People who live in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities
6. People who live with or care for those at high risk for complications from flu, including:
   1. Health care workers
   2. Household contacts of persons at high risk for complications from the flu
   3. Household contacts and out of home caregivers of children less than 6 months of age (these children are too young to be vaccinated)
      

mollymurphy

htuzzi323:

I'm not. Every single time I got the flu shot, I got the flu.

I would challenge anyone who still believes that one can get the flu from the flu shot to back their statement with facts because this is nonsense. And no, self-diagnosis does not count as fact. Evidence from a peer-reviewed journal (say, the JAMA) will do.

htuzzi323:

Haven't had a shot in 5 years, haven't had the flu in 5 years.

That, m'dear, is sheer coincidence.

I have a young son who is at risk for flu-related complications if he becomes ill. By being vaccinated myself, I protect him from an illness that I could unknowingly bring into our home...and by extension, the kids he comes in contact with at his in-home DCP.

Christine&Chris

I am definetly getting the flu shot. And if you're going before speaking to your OB/MW about it, be sure to tell the person giving you the flu shot that you are pregnant and that you cannot have the nasel version (which is made from a live virus....the shot is the inactive one).

flutepharm87

I've already gotten my flu shot since it was free at work and required for pharmacy school. However, I believe that ALL pregnant women need to get the flu vaccine. As for some of the comments made in PPs, you CAN still get the flu after getting the flu shot, but it's not BECAUSE you got the flu shot. The flu shot contains inactivated virus, so it cannot make you sick. However, it only protects you against 4 strains of the flu (this year, it includes H1N1). The health department conducts research and determines which strains it believes will be the most virulent and infect the most people in the upcoming season and those are the strains of the virus included in the vaccine. There are definitely other strains out there, though, so you could still get the flu. As PP said, do not get the Flu Mist (nasal version). It has weakened (but still live) virus and you CAN get sick from taking it. The flu shot is not live virus. Also, check with your insurance company because many will cover the vaccine at little to no cost (especially if you're pregnant). Hope that helps anyone on the fence!

TheCricket

At first I didn't want to because even though I think it is critical to get a shot to protect my babies, I found out that the usual serum may contain mercury, formaldehyde, polysorbate 80 (associated with infertility), triton X100 (a strong detergent), phenoxyethanol (antifreeze). BUT - there are preservative-free flu vaccines available. I am going to see about finding this type next week when we are at the hospital for our first trimester screening.

FutureMrsCaesar

Yes I am absolutely getting one.  I have gotten one the past 2 years, being pregnant with DS and when he was a baby.  I was able to easily track down the preservative free vaccine at our local Walgreens for DS and I this year. 

JenWen3

I already signed up for mine through work. The flu shot does not cause the flu. It is not a live virus. And, it is highly recommended for pregnant women. Here's a good link from the Mayo Clinic: https://www.mayoclinic.com/health/influenza/AN00651

JollyGreenGoat

Yes I'll be getting it so long as my doc allows it and it is preservative free.

LegalLadyBug

I have gotten a flu shot every year, for well, a long time. I have asthma and so I could be in serious trouble if I get the flu. Being pregnant wont change that. 

jaysgirl31780

I'm going to check with my doc, but I'm most likely going to get it. I'm a teacher, so being around germy kids all day isn't good for me or baby! Yuck!

Eros

Absolutely!  Flu shots are very important, esp while pregnant.  I'm an intensive care unit nurse around tons of sick people so I would be stupid if I didn't get the flu shot.  However, flu germs can spread fast in the community too so it's best to protect yourself. 

 

TheCricket

This was a headliner on MSN today:

https://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/39181573/ns/health-pregnancy/