Flu shot? to get or not to get?

nicolenjoli · October 2010

who got one? did your doc suggest it? I read I should get one.... just want to see how many of you did since alot of posts lately are of ppl being sick!

LifetimeOfLove · October 2010

I was supposed to have one at my last appointment but I had a cold so they wouldn't give me one. My next appointment is Tuesday and I plan on getting it then! I work in an elementary school and that is a breeding ground for germs! Stick out tongue

mek10976 · October 2010

The students at my school always seem to have some sickness, so I'm definitely getting one at my next OB appt.

Ashley705 · October 2010

Yep, always gotten it while preggo, risk of complications when your pregnant just goes way up. My OB did recommend, they had one patient die last year from complications from the flu and I few in the ICU.

misskris927 · October 2010

Yes-definitely get it. I just got mine last week

mommyjenny257 · October 2010

I absolutely got one, and so did my husband and stepdaughter. I work in an office and of course having a little one...I know that it's a necessity for all of us, especially me! I will say I've never been against getting one, and have gotten them for several years piror. The last time I didn't get one, I did have the flu.

ermimac · October 2010

I was wondering this too. The last time I got one, I ended up getting the flu. I haven't gotten the shot or the flu since then. But working on a school and being pregnant I probably should get one. I talked to my SIL and she said that the new doc I just switched does strongly encourage patients to have one.

mollynpatrick · October 2010

I teach first grade and I get one every year - pregnant or not. I would definitely get one while pregnant. My children get them too. None of us has had the flu since getting the shot.

skio · October 2010

I did a whole lot of research before deciding and got mine yesterday. And yes, my doctors (and uncle who is a doctor) all highly recommended it.

amethyst1220 · October 2010

my ob recommended it and i got mine at work on friday. i've never gotten one in the past.

Green*Flamingo · October 2010

Absolutely I will get one...as soon as my cold goes away.

NavyGMWife · October 2010

My dr. urged me to get it. I recevied the one that has the flu and H1N1 in one shot. Had to get it from my Dr's office to get the 2 in 1 shot.

I didn't get sick (this is 2 weeks later)

HoolahZinger · October 2010

I got one a couple weeks ago as suggested by my doc. I'm sick right now but with a cold. I'd rather have a cold than the flu any day!

sweetpea2718 · October 2010

I have never gotten the shot or the flu but within the first month of school this year, I came down with the worst cold (i rarely get sick from my kiddos) . I think I would rather just be on the safe side.

MissYouDietCoke · October 2010

Yes, get it, there is no reason not to. It is CDC and doctor recommended for pregnant women to get the shot. This year's formula contains 3 flu strain viruses, H1N1, H3N2 and Influenza B. You can not get the flu from the shot, which contains dead virus. Do not get flu mist, as it contains live virus. Your arm will probably hurt at the injection site, and you might feel extra tired for a day or two.

myst33 · October 2010

I can't get one until I'm no longer sick with this cold or whatever I have but I will be getting one as soon as I am able to. I work in 2 schools everyday and see a lot of kids.

I'll be getting the preservative-free shot.

tmm140 · October 2010

I am going to get one--Doc has recommended it everytime I have gone.

EMarberry · October 2010

MissYouDietCoke:
Yes, get it, there is no reason not to. It is CDC and doctor recommended for pregnant women to get the shot. This year's formula contains 3 flu strain viruses, H1N1, H3N2 and Influenza B. You can not get the flu from the shot, which contains dead virus. Do not get flu mist, as it contains live virus. Your arm will probably hurt at the injection site, and you might feel extra tired for a day or two.

This, there's no reason in the world to skip it when pregnant.

Sweetsunflower · October 2010

After reading the article about 3,000 women who had still births or miscarriages after getting the H1N1 last year I was concerned about getting the seasonal flu shot this year. I usually get it every year. I don't work in a school and am a SAHM, and am very healthy. I talked to my midwife about it and she agreed with me that I'm not at a high risk for getting the flu so it wasn't a big deal if I skipped the shot this year. Also since it covers only 3 strains there is still a chance you can get any of the other many strains. They only predict which strains will be active this year. Also you won't be immune to to the 3 strains in the shot, you can still get sick, it would just be less severe. So that's my 2 cents. I think everyone needs to make an informed decision for their own situation and not just get it because their Dr. says they should.

HipMomma · October 2010

got mine about 3 weeks ago. i would recommend it.

Artsywife07 · October 2010

Yep, my doctor recommended it. DH and I got ours yesterday.

bootsie08 · October 2010

Sweetsunflower:
After reading the article about 3,000 women who had still births or miscarriages after getting the H1N1 last year I was concerned about getting the seasonal flu shot this year. I usually get it every year. I don't work in a school and am a SAHM, and am very healthy. I talked to my midwife about it and she agreed with me that I'm not at a high risk for getting the flu so it wasn't a big deal if I skipped the shot this year. Also since it covers only 3 strains there is still a chance you can get any of the other many strains. They only predict which strains will be active this year. Also you won't be immune to to the 3 strains in the shot, you can still get sick, it would just be less severe. So that's my 2 cents. I think everyone needs to make an informed decision for their own situation and not just get it because their Dr. says they should.

That's not an article per say; it's a blog and a very biased, fear-mongering one. The H1N1 shot was made in the same manner as the seasonal flu shot last year - the strain was just not found until after the regular flu shot went into production so a separate shot was made. I feel very sorry for the women who lost their babies, but it was simply a horrible coincidence. I agree that women should make an informed decision, but based on science and medical research, not anecdotes.

OP - you can not get sick from the flu shot. It is a dead virus. It takes about 2 weeks for the vaccine to take effect. If someone claims they "got sick from the flu shot", they really just caught something before the vaccine took effect. If you live in SoCal, you will probably be offered the whooping cough vaccine as well since we are in the midst of an epidemic. My OB gave me both about 2.5 weeks ago.

jessicadw · October 2010

I got mine last week. I wasn't planning to, but at my monthly appointment my doctor highly recommend I get one while I was there. She outlined all of the benefits for me and it was a no-brainer.

Sheas · October 2010

You should ask your doctor what their suggestion is.

I am not getting one, but lots of women do. Really depends on your own research/opinion and what your doctor has to say about it.

MamaAndrea · October 2010

I got one, and my Dr. suggested DH get one too because once LO is born they can't get one until 6 mo. old. Protect yourself for your LO. Also, you can't get sick from the flu shot because you are being injected with the dead virus.

pregaftertubal · October 2010

yup got one! kids and DH is too, although he isn't happy about it. never gets one! i don't want them bringing something like that home to the baby in the middle of flu season!

green bean · October 2010

Me and dh are getting ours wensday. I really hate shots but I figure a pinch is better then major problems when pregnant. Iam a little nervous about it because I seem to fall into the small percentage of having stronger reactions to shots. Like to tetnus whooping cough. My arm hurt for about a week. Hopfully the flu shot will not be as bad.my doc did say they gave the same shot to everyone but iam going to double check that they know iam pregnant b4 they inject me.

MissYouDietCoke · October 2010

bootsie08:
Sweetsunflower:
After reading the article about 3,000 women who had still births or miscarriages after getting the H1N1 last year I was concerned about getting the seasonal flu shot this year. I usually get it every year. I don't work in a school and am a SAHM, and am very healthy. I talked to my midwife about it and she agreed with me that I'm not at a high risk for getting the flu so it wasn't a big deal if I skipped the shot this year. Also since it covers only 3 strains there is still a chance you can get any of the other many strains. They only predict which strains will be active this year. Also you won't be immune to to the 3 strains in the shot, you can still get sick, it would just be less severe. So that's my 2 cents. I think everyone needs to make an informed decision for their own situation and not just get it because their Dr. says they should.
That's not an article per say; it's a blog and a very biased, fear-mongering one. The H1N1 shot was made in the same manner as the seasonal flu shot last year - the strain was just not found until after the regular flu shot went into production so a separate shot was made. I feel very sorry for the women who lost their babies, but it was simply a horrible coincidence. I agree that women should make an informed decision, but based on science and medical research, not anecdotes.
OP - you can not get sick from the flu shot. It is a dead virus. It takes about 2 weeks for the vaccine to take effect. If someone claims they "got sick from the flu shot", they really just caught something before the vaccine took effect. If you live in SoCal, you will probably be offered the whooping cough vaccine as well since we are in the midst of an epidemic. My OB gave me both about 2.5 weeks ago.

Bootsie, thank you for your reply. I started to several times, but couldn't phrase what I wanted to say as nicely as you did. This article is anecdotal and coincidental information, instead of the peer reviewed scientific research that our doctors are basing their recommendations on. It is terribly sad that these women had miscarriages for whatever reason it was, but you really don't want me to describe what happens when a pregnant woman has complications from the flu.

Let me just put it this way, the lives of BOTH mom and baby are at risk. The benefits of this proven to be safe vaccine far outweigh the risks.

wannja01 · October 2010

They were offering it thru my OB's office and she said it had lower mercury levels than the average flu shots. I believe the shots given this year are combined flu and H1N1.

tinklinz · October 2010

Sweetsunflower:
After reading the article about 3,000 women who had still births or miscarriages after getting the H1N1 last year I was concerned about getting the seasonal flu shot this year. I usually get it every year. I don't work in a school and am a SAHM, and am very healthy. I talked to my midwife about it and she agreed with me that I'm not at a high risk for getting the flu so it wasn't a big deal if I skipped the shot this year. Also since it covers only 3 strains there is still a chance you can get any of the other many strains. They only predict which strains will be active this year. Also you won't be immune to to the 3 strains in the shot, you can still get sick, it would just be less severe. So that's my 2 cents. I think everyone needs to make an informed decision for their own situation and not just get it because their Dr. says they should.

This. I was all gung ho on getting it, but the more research I did and the fact that my immune system is actually stronger now than it was pre-pg as suggested by my blood levels I'm going to skip it. I'm home most of the time so the likelihood I'll be exposed to anything is pretty slim, and that you can still get it even after getting the shot isn't much of a comfort.

bre87 · October 2010

i never get the flu shot but i asked my doctor about it tuesday and she said i better get one. i hadn't done too much research on it, but i saw all the bump posts about it and asked. she said two pregnant women had died last year at that hospital from H1N1 and the flu is awful when pregnant because of the fever etc etc. then she promptly sent the nurse right in with the shot. i was surprised that it was totally covered by my insurance though. and bonus was that she said LO would be covered as well which is good since they'll be born towards the end of flu season.

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