Flu Shot Question

jlk2424 · November 2012

I will be 35 weeks tomorrow. I have been trying to get the flu shot for the past 4.5 weeks. I could not the first 2 weeks because I had a cough and when I asked two of the nurses at the OB's office they both said to wait till my cough subsided (turns out the cough was due to Acid Reflux). Then Hurricane Sandy hit and offices were closed for days etc. Then last week I was nauseous, etc, and thought I may have had a stomach bug. I think that is due to pregnancy bc it was sinus problems that came and went, tiredness that came and went and being hot. So my plan is to get it tomorrow from CVS. My Dr's office does not give them but I can get it at the CVS by me. I have an OB appt tomorrow so I will make sure I am in good health before going. I am nervous for two reasons. Is it too late for me to get the shot? Also, I have heard mixed things about the shot. SOme people say get it and some say do not. Also, I have read about concerns about the chemical Thimerosal in it. What are your thoughts? Thanks!!!

jobiann · November 2012

I got mine when I was 27 weeks. No side affects for me except for a sore arm the next day.

cowgirltu · November 2012

It is required for me to get the shot every year for work, and I have never had a reaction or gotten sick from it in the last 8 years.

Litgirl77 · November 2012

JRomeH:
Nov is still a good time to get the shot. Get it now, though, as it takes 2 weeks for the shot to take effect. I got my shot a few weeks ago from Target, and was able to get the preservative free version, but from what I understand, the regular flu shot is ok during pregnancy as well.

This. Got mine 2 weeks ago at Target - preservative free. Had a slightly sore arm the next day and that was it.

stardust317 · November 2012

I got mine at 27 or 28 weeks. I know my ob recommended it, but I got it from CVS. I told them ahead of time that I was pregnant. I felt kind of yucky for a day or so, and had a sore arm. I also got a big welt/spot type place where I got the shot.

LSU628 · November 2012

I got it at around 30 weeks at my OB's office. I was a little more tired than usual for a few days, but other than that I was fine.

EDL06 · November 2012

CVS carries the preservative-free shot, ask for it (although they will likely offer)

Amaryllis619 · November 2012

it's not too late!! I just got mine on Friday at the pharmacy.

mgade001 · November 2012

There was a lot of hype that there's a link between thiomersal and autism, but there remains no scientific evidence to back this up. It is toxic to all living things in large amounts, but what you'd be getting in a flu shot (not even sure how much or if it's in it) would be negligible.

st.augbride · November 2012

Definitely a good time to get it. It takes 2 weeks to be in full effect once you get it, so the sooner the better. Flu season tends to peak in January and February, so you're in good shape if you get it now.

sbevmc09 · November 2012

No, it is not too late for you to get the vax. My advice to you would be to research the benefits vs. risk, efficacy, potential side effects, etc. and conclude for yourself whether you feel that it's worth it to get the vax. Only you can make that decision for you. As far as the Thimerosal, that's only present as a preservative in the multiple dose vials. As long as you get a single dose vax you can avoid that ingredient completely. That's what recommended for pregnant women, but often that's what's given anyway. Just check to make sure at the time you receive it, or you could even call ahead to your CVS just to make sure that's what they have in stock.

Bride-hilda · November 2012

I got it, (my first one ever,) at about 24 weeks or so. Then later I was speaking to a friend who works at a hospital lab and she said the shot isn't so great this year, that it's made some people sick, (not me,) and that it didn't do a lot of good this year.

IDK if that's just SOME of the shots, or WHAT, but she's the only person I've heard say that, my doctor talked me into it, and I was fine, haven't been sick at all.... I mean, I'm not gonna tell you to get it one way or the other, but you could probably go either way and survive. (Mostly I chose to do it so baby could be immune to the flu upon arrival, since he arrives in the dead of winter.)

g8trkim · November 2012

You can get it now, and IMO you should. It's flu season and the last thing you need is to get the flu with a newborn baby around.

BLPL101 · November 2012

I got mine at the beginning of October at Walgreens. I told them I was pregnant and wanted the preservative free one and he told me that is the only one they are allowed to give pregnant women (at least at Walgreens) so that was good. I had a sore arm, but felt completely fine. This was the first time I got the flu shot.

FreyaWin2382 · November 2012

Get the flu shot and not the flu mist version.

sschwege · November 2012

Bride-hilda:
I got it, (my first one ever,) at about 24 weeks or so. Then later I was speaking to a friend who works at a hospital lab and she said the shot isn't so great this year, that it's made some people sick, (not me,) and that it didn't do a lot of good this year.
IDK if that's just SOME of the shots, or WHAT, but she's the only person I've heard say that, my doctor talked me into it, and I was fine, haven't been sick at all.... I mean, I'm not gonna tell you to get it one way or the other, but you could probably go either way and survive. (Mostly I chose to do it so baby could be immune to the flu upon arrival, since he arrives in the dead of winter.)

Not sure why it would be making people sick since the injection is the dead virus. Plus there is no way to determine how effective it is going to be yet as flu season is just now getting underway and doesn't peak until February.

OP: I get one every year and the years I am pregnant/bfing are no different. I just ask for preservative free. It's not too late at all!

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