Flu Shot (lurker)

jeggomyeggo · September 2012

Hi Ladies!

FTM here and I'd like to go natural--have been reading up and lurking on the board for a few weeks now.

I figured this would be the best place for me to ask opinions on getting the flu shot while pregnant. Forgive me if this is a common post that I've missed on this board.

First: I would not get the flu shot if I weren't pregnant. In the past, I've chosen not to get it based on no real research, but rather that I'm a healthy, young person and don't see the need to get an optional vaccine just for vaccination's sake.

Second: I am 23 weeks pregnant and will be pregnant through the winter months. I'm due 1/3/13. This gives me an elevated concern that I may need the vaccine.

Third: I work in a small corporate office around adults. I did get the flu in Feb of 2012.

Any articles for me to read would be great as well as your own research that you've done/decisions you've made OR just a link to a prior posting on this subject would help too.

TIA!

AmyRI · September 2012

I almost never got the flu shot when I was younger and not pregnant. I didn't see the point. Sure, the flu would suck, but I was healthy and could handle it without complications.

However, I got the flu shot when pregnant last time (2010), when DS was 6 months old in daycare but too young to get it himself (2011), and I plan to get it again this year as I'm pregnant again. When you're pg, you can't take any meds to help deal with the symptoms and the flu itself is more serious. With a LO in the house, he was also limited in the meds he can take and couldn't get the vax himself, so I (and DH) got vaccinated to help protect him. I have not read any risks of the shot that make it worth it to me to skip it. Sure, it might not work anyway if the flu mutates differently than they predict... but it will hopefully lower my risk.

00jennifer00 · September 2012

I've never had the flu shot. My third was born in December 08 and we got swine flu that March/April. All of us were miserable, except him. Had maybe some sniffles and that was it. Breastfeeding protected him. We also got the flu when my second was a few months old. We were miserable (and it was my first time ever getting the flu at 24) but she didn't get anything more than some sniffles, because again, breastfeeding protected her.

My dh is a mechanic, so he's around other people all the time, and in cars all the time. He gets sick quite a bit, but we've never had an issue with any of our babies getting anything more than a minor cold, (except our first who was fully vax'd and he ended up with pneumonia from that vax at 4mo, and then RSV the next month).

junie216 · September 2012

I got the flu shot at my family doc's request last week. It made me nervous because I'm in first tri, but the thought of a runaway fever from the flu seemed worse.

Also I've had pneumonia before, so trying to protect myself.

I haven't been sick since I've had pneumonia in 2004. No colds or anything. I get the flu shot most years.

KelliLynee · September 2012

One huge thing to think about, is that if you get the flu shot while pregnant, you will pass the immunity on to your baby. With a January due date, you would be doing your baby a huge favor by giving him/her some immunity! Not to mention the protection for yourself, as someone at higher risk for complications since you are pregnant. Good luck with your decision!

catsinawindow · September 2012

I never got the flu shot before I was PG (basically same reasons you stated) but I did get it while PG with DS. I did this for two reasons: the flu is much more dangerous for a PG women than non-PG and the flu is much more dangerous for newborns than the general population.

I did make sure that I was given the single dose vaccine (without mercury containing preservatives).

StefandTodd · September 2012

I get the flu shot every year, and don't consider it an optional vaccine at all. It's just necessary every year since the strains of flu change from year to year. Otherwise, I consider it as important for me (and my family) to have as MMR, pertussis, etc.

So obviously I'll be getting it this year. I was told I needed to wait until my 3rd tri though, and to get the preservative-free one...it'll be available for me end of September, and I'll be in the 3rd tri then, so I'll be going in for it then.

wifeofadam · September 2012

I never get the flu shot, pregnant or not. You have to do what you're comfortable with.

Anecdote alert - I've been pregnant through three winters, no flu shot and no flu. I have three kids who have never had the flu shot or the flu. We take other precautions against the flu, like proper handwashing and avoiding germy places during flu season (like not putting our kids in the church nursery or going to museums/play areas where other sick kids could be). It works for us, but my kids also are not in daycare and are homeschooled. If they were going to be in daycare I would get them the shot.

kjsmith9 · September 2012

I got the flu shot today, actually. I get it every year anyways, but the hospital where I work is mandating it this year to protect the patients. The floor I work on is primarily respiratory complications, so I'm definitely exposed to flu multiple times during the winter. And I feel good about protecting baby

KateLouise · September 2012

I'm a high school teacher so am surrounded by germs but before pregnancy I've sometimes had the flu jab and sometimes not. For no particular reasoning.

When pregnant, however, I get the flu vaccine. Swine flu is more risky to pregnant women, and as pp said you can pass on some immunity to your baby.

But it's definitely a personal choice and I don't side-eye anyone who chooses not to get it.

laurakaz13 · September 2012

I work in healthcare and get the flu shot every year. It is not optional in my opinion. The flu is incredibly dangerous for pregnant women and their babies. Do some research if you'd like, but any credible source will tell you as much.

Hyaline · September 2012

I skipped it this time--I was pregnant during the second half of flu season, but I worked in education (aka a petri dish) at the time and knew if I was going to get it, I would have already.

The CDC recommends that all pregnant women get the vaccine. However, saying that the flu is very dangerous or not all that dangerous or any other label depends a lot on your risk tolerance and perspective. Very few pregnant women die of flu--unfortunately I'm not able to find breakdowns of numbers in terms of how many pregnant vs nonpregnant people die of the flu or are hospitalized, but the CDC has stats on yearly total deaths from the flu. My understanding is that the elderly make up the majority of that number every year.

And the final question--how effective is the flu vaccine? I found this Cochrane review very interesting: https://www.publishingcrawl.com/2012/09/04/back-to-school-favorite-and-least-favorite-assigned-books/

vintagejjane · September 2012

I didn't get the flu shot when I was pregnant and I won't be getting one this year. I only got the flu shot when I worked at a hospital.

mjr12 · September 2012

I encourage all of you to do your own research and come to a place that you're comfortable with . . . I suggest starting with the actual vaccine inserts (your care provider can give them to you or you can find them on the FDA website). You can also start by looking at the CDC website.

"Preliminary data for the 2010-2011 influenza season indicate that influenza vaccine effectiveness was about 60% for all age groups combined, and that almost all influenza viruses isolated from study participants were well-matched to the vaccine strains (Unpublished CDC data). " _-CDC Website https://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/qa/vaccineeffect.htm

The nasal spray is NOT recommended for pregnant women because it is a live virus.

I also saw this today and thought it was interesting. https://wholepregnancy.org/index.php?id=videos_more&moreid=29

A list of ingredients is here: https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/pinkbook/downloads/appendices/B/excipient-table-2.pdf

An easy to understand table of ingredients is here: https://www.vaccine-tlc.org/qv/flu.html

This is a pretty complete place to research as well: https://www.nvic.org/Vaccines-and-Diseases/Influenza.aspx

I have never had the flu vaccine, neither has anyone in my family. We won't be getting the flu vaccine this year. Every person has their own choice to make . . .

wifeofadam · September 2012

intheflowers:
Sometimes I wonder if people realize the difference between "stomach flu" aka gastroenteritis and the ACTUAL flu which will lay you up in bed for weeks.

People aren't dumb. They realize the difference.

I respect people's decisions to vaccinate. We choose to vaccinate for most things, but the flu just isn't something that we worry about, mainly because I feel like it gives people a false sense of security. We have better luck taking other preventative measures like avoiding germy places during cold and flu season and being religious about handwashing. We also eat diets rich in whole foods and try to boost our immune systems that way. Since the flu shot is only effective against two strains of the flu and has a pretty low efficacy rate even within those strains, I feel comfortable with the way we do things.

Like I said, I respect other people's decisions, but I don't think this issue is as black and white as people make it seem. You need to take into account people's lifestyles. If you don't work with a population that puts you at risk, your children aren't in a daycare or school setting, and you tend to be healthy in general, it just doesn't seem necessary to me. If at some point my lifestyle changed and I felt more at risk, I would possibly reconsider.

nj001 · September 2012

I'm getting mine next week.

I used to get sick every single fall and sometimes again in the winter. I'd get offered the flu shot and hold off on it because I don't like taking unnecessary anything, ever, and the flu hadn't killed me yet so I figured I could tough it out. Then I started getting the flu shot and I'm like super woman!! I not getting sick. Now that I'm pregnant, I definitely think it's the prudent thing to do. Not only are our immune systems lower, and specific strains of the flu can be very harmful to the fetus, but even running a fever is known to be very dangerous for the little, growing, tissues and I'd like to avoid it if at all possible. So I'm definitely getting mine and I totally support you in getting yours. Herd immunity, baby!!

mjr12 · September 2012

intheflowers:
Sometimes I wonder if people realize the difference between "stomach flu" aka gastroenteritis and the ACTUAL flu which will lay you up in bed for weeks. Even if there was only a small chance of being infected, and a small chance that the vax would protect against that strain, I'd still get it on the chance of being protected. It's a boost to my immune system, it will protect baby, and there's no compelling reason not to get it, IMO. I'm not paranoid about the ingredients and I'm not allergic. I would not judge a healthy adult choosing not to protect themselves, but I do think the evidence shows how it is important for atrisk populations like pregnant women.nbsp;

I don't know if you understand that the flu vaccination does not equal immunity. The CDC says so. So does every flu vaccine insert. If you feel its important to you, get it. Don't call others stupid for choosing a different path based on their research. To assume someone is not intelligent or uneducated because they have a different opinion is silly.

tokenhoser · September 2012

I've gotten the flu shot every year since I was unlucky enough to get the flu. The real influenza flu. I got it really early in the season (early October) during midterms in my most intense year of university; it knocked me on my a$$ for a full week.

I got the flu shot while pregnant because of the increased risk of complications and the reality that pregnancy inhibits your immune system, restricts your treatment options, and raises the stakes if something serious goes wrong.

I feel that the flu shot has been well studied and had no reservations about receiving it.

mjr12 · September 2012

intheflowers:
mjr12:
intheflowers:
Sometimes I wonder if people realize the difference between "stomach flu" aka gastroenteritis and the ACTUAL flu which will lay you up in bed for weeks. Even if there was only a small chance of being infected, and a small chance that the vax would protect against that strain, I'd still get it on the chance of being protected. It's a boost to my immune system, it will protect baby, and there's no compelling reason not to get it, IMO. I'm not paranoid about the ingredients and I'm not allergic. I would not judge a healthy adult choosing not to protect themselves, but I do think the evidence shows how it is important for atrisk populations like pregnant women.nbsp;
I don't know if you understand that the flu vaccination does not equal immunity. The CDC says so. So does every flu vaccine insert. If you feel its important to you, get it. Don't call others stupid for choosing a different path based on their research. To assume someone is not intelligent or uneducated because they have a different opinion is silly.
A wee bit defensive? I didn't call anyone stupid. It's VERY common to see people mix up the two.

Not defensive at all. Just sick of this. same. argument. Assuming that someone doesn't know the difference between influenza and the "stomach flu" is just a inference that is, IMO silly.

pinkeggs · September 2012

I agree that many people don't realize the difference between true influenza and the "flu" which leaves you vomiting for 24-48 hours.

Anecdote alert: I had true influenza when I was 9 weeks pg with DD1. I remember actually wondering if I was going to die, and kind of wishing I would. When I got a little better, the first thing my doctor did was order an ultrasound to see if my baby survived my flu (high fever for several days). I cannot tell you how scary that was, being told that my flu might have hurt my baby. That feeling alone was worth getting the vaccine.

JMO/experience.

aliena · September 2012

I also work in healthcare and get the flu shot. I think its important to protect my family, me and my patients. I've seen elderly people and children hospitalized due to the flu. Also, my ob recommends it and I trust him.

jeggomyeggo · September 2012

Thank you all for the responses--antecdotes and links=very helpful.

I'm still on the fence (We're basically split 50/50 on this, aren't we?) and will now research high fever effects on baby because that's what stood out to me the most in this thread.

Thank you!

tokenhoser · September 2012

When I got the flu, I woke feeling normal, went to school, and was running a fever of 104* by lunch. It comes on suddenly and can be pretty extreme.

A high fever can be lethal to a fetus, or can cause neural tube defects. It has also been risked to a higher chance of autism.

wifeofadam · September 2012

Just remember that fever can be a side effect of getting the shot. I know several people that run a high grade fever after they get the shot every year.

RockyMtnMama · September 2012

My response is very anecdotal, but I get the flu shot when I'm not pregnant and avoid it when I am. My whole reason is that after EVERY single time I've had the flu shot, I've spent a day with a fever/chills and aches and pains. So I'd rather not react that way if I don't have to while pregnant. Every time I get the flu shot I tell them I react that way and every time they say it's rare and likely won't happen again, but it always does.

Considering the newest info on linking autism to exposure to viruses, I wonder if they'll study the exposure to dead flu viruses and autism next? (link https://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/26/opinion/sunday/immune-disorders-and-autism.html?pagewanted=all)

soontobeahigh · September 2012

I usually get the flu shot every year. My kids do too. I have a daughter who is high risk health wise and a simple cold has landed us in the ICU more than once. I will get it again this year too.

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