H1N1 Flu Shot?

gingerbreadgirl · January 2010

I just found out that my office is offering free H1N1 flu shots next week. I've heard that it is a good precaution for pregnant women, but haven't had one in years and so I'm a bit unsure.

What do you think? Have you had a flu shot recently? Or while pregnant?

EMcW2005 · January 2010

personally, I'm a little sketched out by the H1N1 shot. I'm worried it was rushed and wasn't tested adequately. I'm planning on skipping it.

Aliliv · January 2010

I've had both seasonal and H1N1 flu shots. We're fine. The only difference between the seasonal flu shot and the H1N1 is the strain of the virus.

HayleyandMark · January 2010

I got it at my first appointment. The nurse talked about the increased risk of miscarriage if you get the flu and that sold me on it. I got the nonpreservative one. I've had no complications from it. I did have a lot of extra phlegm in my throat the week after but that could have been a fluke. My cousin though also complained of that right after her shot too.

karencz · January 2010

I would definitely get the preservative (thimiserol--sp?) free one. H1N1 has been the MOST dangerous among pregnant women. Go look it up. I definitely got it. I think vaccines are safe. Besides as far as the "not safe" argument, even the regular flu shot is redone each year and is not actually produced that far in advance. It's fine.

kg_08 · January 2010

I am definitely not getting the shots. And you probably should talk to your doctor about it before agreeing to get one from work. Sometimes they give pregnant women a different kind. If you want one, get it from the doc.

JhawkCE · January 2010

They tested it as much as they test any of the flu shots. It's a dead virus, it's fine. It would have been included in the seasonal flu shot but it didn't present in time. I get one every year, got both this year.

They do know that actual H1N1 has a higher instance of death in pregnant women.

I've read about and known pregnant women who die from H1N1, never met or read about any that have adverse H1N1 shot effects.

bstrangely · January 2010

i got it two weeks ago and saw the heartbeat on tuesday. totally fine.

MrsQueale · January 2010

I am not KU but I had it. My arm really hurt but other then that I was fine. Where I am though they suggest you be at least 20wks before you get the shot but each country/prov is different.

Dobie_Mama · January 2010

I got it before I was pregnant. If I hadn't, I would get it now. It's formulated the same as the seasonal flu shot ... it's just a different strain. The strains that make up seasonal flu shots are different every year so it's really no different than what they always do.

gingerbreadgirl · January 2010

Good to know - I just made my first doctor appt. for Monday with my GP so I will ask her about the preservative-free one and other options.

Thanks for the info!

CrazyToast · January 2010

As soon as my GP confirmed my pregnancy in December, he offered me the H1N1 shot. I immediately said yes. I had been unsure about it, yet I get a regular flu shot every year. I think the idea of me protecting my baby kicked in when I said yes without thinking. I would recommend doing it. My GP even said insurance would cover it, so I didn't have to pay for it.

sarahandeddiejune212008 · January 2010

I got my H1N1 in November and regular flu shot in December. I wanted to get both before I got pg. My OB strongly encourages all pg women to get both.

jastl32 · January 2010

I got mine yesterday. My work had them for free, too.

When I got there, the nurses had me fill out a questionnaire. Based on how I answered it (one question was are you pregnant) they gave me a different shot than non-high risk people.

The shots are perfectly safe. For me, the risk of H1N1 is far to great to not get the shot. My RE basically said they are seeing H1N1 do nasty things to pregnant women and that I really should get it. We're the highest risk group to die from complications due to the virus, so to me it's totally worth it.

It isn't made any different than a regular flu vaccine, which they have been making for years. It's perfectly safe.

kslater84 · January 2010

My best freind who is also pregnant got it and she has had no negative side effects thus far, but I am still skeptical. I have never gotten the flu shot before and rarely have I gotten the flu so I think I am going to risk it. Best of luck!

sarah&greg2006 · January 2010

I've chosen not to get the vaccines. I'm not comfortable with the possibilty of long term negative effects on development. I'm not sure where you live but we have not had any news of more outbreaks or diagnoses where we are. I'm using universal precautions to protect myself. I suggest reading and asking several doctors what their thoughts are and then making a decision. Good luck.

preciousmetal · January 2010

My doc highly recommended it, so I got one and so did DD.

jastl32 · January 2010

sarah&greg2006:
I've chosen not to get the vaccines. I'm not comfortable with the possibilty of long term negative effects on development. I'm not sure where you live but we have not had any news of more outbreaks or diagnoses where we are. I'm using universal precautions to protect myself. I suggest reading and asking several doctors what their thoughts are and then making a decision. Good luck.

Just an FYI - they are predicting there will be another outbreak in late winter/early spring, so it's not necessarily "over" yet.

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