flu shot yet?

turquoisequeen · October 2014

Has anyone gotten a flu shot yet? My IVF nurse said I could go ahead and get one anytime but I know that the shot is most active for 3 months after you get it but the flu season lasts through February. Most years I've waited until late Oct but I've heard there are some reported cases already and I def don't want the flu. They really should make the shot last for 5 months.

pblge · October 2014

Hmmm, I've never heard the three month thing, and that isn't how the immunology should work. That said, the vaccine is always a guess about how the flu will be changing, and it could be that some sources suggest that after three month the virus will have changed such that the vaccine may no longer be relevant. Here are some web pages that comment on this issue:
https://www.vaccines.gov/diseases/flu/
https://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/01/17/ask-well-how-long-does-a-flu-shot-last/?_php=true&_type=blogs&_r=0
https://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/keyfacts.htm

Also, a PSA: Be sure to get a vaccine that is safe for pregnant women! There are different kinds of vaccines available, so you may not be able to drop in at your pharmacy to get whatever they have.

I personally plan on getting it the next time I'm in the doctor's office. I work with (wonderfully dedicated!) graduate students who come to class no matter how sick they are, so I feel like I really need it. I also just had a super healthy 33 yr old friend get pneumonia from the flu, so I'm feeling especially scared.

turquoisequeen · October 2014

Thank you @IFinTNfor the info. Going to get mine asap then

turquoisequeen · October 2014

@pblge what is up with people still going to school/work and shaking hands, hugging etc. when they are sick?! Drives me nuts.

chrissynena · October 2014

I got mine two weeks ago with my tdap at the OB. My arm was really sore lol.

MJ14323 · October 2014

I'll be getting mine after our US next week, if everything looks good.

turquoisequeen · October 2014

@Ducky719‌ forgive my ignorance but I haven't read about the preservative free one. What I read said pregnant women just couldn't get the nasal spray. So is that the one your RE or OB told you that you needed?

yvonne0001 · October 2014

@turquoisequeen‌ I know that some flu vaccines have thimerosal which has mercury in it, I believe. I recently learned about it and am researching it. It was taken out of pretty much all vaccines as a "precaution" except in the flu vaccine... Some still have it. If it is a multidose vile it will contain it because it helps kill bacteria etc. if it is a single dose vile it won't. I asked my husband about it - he is a general practitioner - and he said this is all true so ideally you want the one without thimerosal in it. That is what I know.

Mrs.McIrish · October 2014

My MFM's office gave it to me last Friday.

LO95 · October 2014

My CNP said it's safe in any trimester, but I'm trying hard to hold out until second tri, which is three weeks from now for me.

Three weeks. Dayum, that's a long time...

...paces...

rox825 · October 2014

Ducky719 said:

I got mine last week. Target has the preservative free one you need while pregnant or nursing.

I was about to post a mini-panic attack in here because neither my PCP, OBGYN, nor local health department has preservative free flu vaccine and this baby is due in less than 5 weeks and I've been freaking out about where I'm going to get the vaccine in time for the baby to have some protection this flu season. I'm so glad to see you say that Target has it! I tried calling Rite Aid today and when I asked the pharmacist whether they had preservative-free she seemed to have no idea what I was talking about. K, thanks but no thanks. I'm calling Target tomorrow, thank you!! FX they have it.

Ecarabeo217 · October 2014

Your local pharmacy should have the single-dose vaccines. The preservatives are found in the multiple-dose vials that your doc's office is more likely to carry since they're cheaper to buy. The pharmacies carry the single-dose so they don't have to deal with storing the open containers. As long as that's the case, you should be fine. No intra-nasal during pregnancy. And the effects should last well over three months. You should be protected for the season. I got mine a couple of weeks ago at target.

orange1414 · October 2014

I got mine yesterday at my midwife, along with my TDAP.

turquoisequeen · October 2014

Done! My target had the preservative free one. I almost laughed at the lady that gave me the shot when she said she was sorry that it might hurt a little. The flu shot's got nothin on some of the shots we've all been through!

southernyankeegirl · October 2014

Can I just say that I love you ladies?

I didn't even open this thread for so long because I feared anti-vax nonsense. But none of that, just educated, informed, medically-based advice and questions.

Rock on with your bad knowledgable selves ;-)

I'm asking next week at my appointment about getting the flu shot and DTAP booster. I probably won't get them both at the same time (personal preference) but I will definitely be getting both of them within the next month or so.

ksgsmu · October 2014

I got the shot for pregnant ladies ( the non preservative one) at CVS pharmacy... the nurse said it would be most potent for 6-8 months.

BabyKsMommy · October 2014

southernyankeegirl said:
Can I just say that I love you ladies?

I didn't even open this thread for so long because I feared anti-vax nonsense. But none of that, just educated, informed, medically-based advice and questions.

Rock on with your bad knowledgable selves ;-)

I'm asking next week at my appointment about getting the flu shot and DTAP booster. I probably won't get them both at the same time (personal preference) but I will definitely be getting both of them within the next month or so.

I also split mine up. I did the DTAP first and then the flu shot 2 wks later. I like breaking it up to give my body a little bit of a break.

Desertrose27 · October 2014

I got mine last week at the flu shot clinic at work. I had to mention to the nurse on the form that I was pregnant (first beta the day before actually). She said that they used to have to get a prescription to give flu shots to pregnant women but now it wasn't an issue. I wasn't aware of a preservative free version and she didn't mention it, but it didn't seem to be an issue. I don't get the nasal spray anyway as I have existing pulmonary/sinus issues and it wouldn't work as well as a shot for me.

Regarding dTap. I got a booster back in 2012 when I saw my OB about a referral to my RE. Is it still good now? I'm visiting my PCP next week and I will ask her then, but I figure I could do that then if needed.

Mrs.McIrish · October 2014

Desertrose27 said:

I got mine last week at the flu shot clinic at work. I had to mention to the nurse on the form that I was pregnant (first beta the day before actually). She said that they used to have to get a prescription to give flu shots to pregnant women but now it wasn't an issue. I wasn't aware of a preservative free version and she didn't mention it, but it didn't seem to be an issue. I don't get the nasal spray anyway as I have existing pulmonary/sinus issues and it wouldn't work as well as a shot for me.

Regarding dTap. I got a booster back in 2012 when I saw my OB about a referral to my RE. Is it still good now? I'm visiting my PCP next week and I will ask her then, but I figure I could do that then if needed.

I also had tdap back in 2012 but the vac sheet and my MFM said to get it for each pregnancy. I asked my sister to get the shot but her booster was 2012 so she does t need it again to be around my baby.

ekc0630 · October 2014

I'm in the hospital on bed rest and they gave me both the TDAP and Flu Shot 2 days after I was admitted.

hopeby2015 · October 2014

I plan on getting the flu shot next Friday at my OB appointment.

WA1215 · October 2014

I got a flu shot at my last appointment (@ 20 weeks). I'm currently abt 24 weeks and due Feb 2. I did have a tdap a year ago last month, I haven't had my OB say that I need to update that....should I be asking?

MrsLolaSky · October 2014

I just got the flu shot last week at about 7.5 weeks! Arm was sore for a bit.

I told the nurse that I was pregnant, and she was actually weirdly rude and said, "Then obviously you should get a shot!" I had just wanted to alert her to the fact that I might need a preservative-free shot.... Clearly I had come to get the shot! Sheesh.

dp21 · October 2014

@desertrose27 You will need to get the Tdap again in third trimester, it basically creates passive immunity to your baby (since baby won't be able to get the Tdap for awhile). More for the baby and less for you this time

I'm up to date too, but will also need to get the shot again :P I also got my flu shot at work already!

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