Flu Shot?

[chody47]

I am a teacher and have been offered a free flu shot from DECS sometime next term. My question is, should I have it? At the time of the shot I could either be newly pregnant or possibly somewhere in my TWW. Does anyone know if the flu shot is recommended/not recommended during pregnancy?

[Tiff+2]

My GP highly recommended I have both the Flu vac as well as the Swine Flu vac when I was newly preg, as did my OB, so I'd say yep it's safe. There is a heap of info on the net so you can make up your own mind, everyone has their own opinion on this matter, but I really think (although I am NO expert!!) it will be completely safe on your possible preg.

[westy]

My GP also highy recommended both the swine flu and flu vacinations ....i had the swine flu about a month ago without any issues, yesterday during my visit to the Dr's i have the standard flu shot and it sees i have had a little reaction my arm is very hot, sore and has a red spot approx 7cm long by 2.5cm wide. I havent been feeling the best since having it either so decided to call in the Dr's this afternoon to have it checked out and they said i should be fine however it it wasnt any better tomorrow to go back and they would re-assess. I am 38weeks 1day pregnant now.

[Baby14]

My GP and OB both strongly recommended I have both the standard flu vaccine and the swine flu vaccine while PG. I was reluctant but after lots of discussion with my OB, I went back to my GP and had the shots, I was 34 weeks PG at the time.

[indie24]

I had the flu shot when I was pregnant with DD (ling before the swine flu hit)

[Rumpleteaser]

I'm a nurse who works in a public hospital, and my work would not vaccinate in the first trimester dispite information about it being safe in PG. There reasoning being if I did MC shortly after getting flu vax, I would never be sure if the flu vax caused MC or not.
I got the flu vax when 14 wk Pg with DS, he is fine, and I plan to get flu vax in next week to cover self and Bub.
I don't know about vax when in TWW. I was exposed to menigococcal when I was in TWW with DS1 and took the "safe" option re: profolactic antibiotic and took the shot in bum over risky oral tablets.

[JellyBean]

It is a personal decision, which only you can make, but seeing as you asked for opinions, I personally wouldn't recommend it as it contains the preservative thimerosal, which is approximately 50% mercury by weight. Mercury is a toxic heavy metal that has been linked with autism (just google mercury and autism to see the extent of the controversy) and as pregnant women we are recommended to avoid certain types of fish (ie tuna) during pregnancy, as they contain high levels of mercury which are dangerous to the developing baby. There are also other questionable ingredients in there... (see below).

You may link to look at the following thread posted by Belly Belly's creator Kelly;
https://www.bellybelly.com.au/forums...pregnancy.html

Here is a list of the ingredients in some the circulating flu vaccines out there, including the H1N1 Swine flu vaccine (from the manufacturers). All other vaccine ingredients can be viewed at the WAVE (World Association for Vaccine Education) website.

Afluria flu (influenza) vaccine

Manufacturer CSL Biotherapies
Microorganism influenza virus
Licensed 09/28/2007
Recommendations One intramuscular injection
Ingredients: Beta-propiolactone, Neomycin, Polymyxin B, Sucrose, Thimerosal, Mercury, Sodium phosphate-monobasic, Chick embryo cells, Potassium chloride, Neomycin sulphate, Calcium chloride, Sodium deoxycholate, Sodium phosphate- dibasic anhydrous, Potassium phosphate- monobasic.

Agriflu trivalent inactivated influenza virus vaccine

Manufacturer Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics, Inc.
Microorganism influenza virus subtypes A and type B, A/Brisbane/59/2007, IVR-148 (H1N1); A/Uruguay/716/2007, NYMC X-175C (H3N2) (an A/Brisbane/10/2007-like virus); and B/Brisbane/60/2008
Licensed Nov 2009
Recommendations one intramuscular injection in persons 18 years of age and older
Ingredients: Formaldehyde, Polysorbate 80, Kanamycin (antibiotic), Egg protein, Neomycin sulphate, Virus: Influenza, cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB).
Product Descriptions

Package Insert (FDA)


Arepanrix H1N1 AS03-Adjuvanted H1N1 Pandemic Influenza Vaccine

Manufacturer GlaxoSmithKline
Microorganism A/California/7/2009 (H1N1)v-like strain (X-179A) 3.75µg HA
Licensed 10/13/2009 (Canada)
Recommendations Adults aged 18-60 years: The need for a second dose is currently unknown (If a second dose is needed, it should be given after an interval of at least three weeks) Children and adolescents aged 10-17 years: No clinical data are available for any influenza vaccines with AS03 in this age group. Consideration may be given to dosing in accordance with recommendations for adults. Children aged 3-9 years: Based on limited clinical data available for AS03-adjuvanted H5N1 vaccine containing 3.75 ìg HA derived from A/Vietnam/1194/2004 in this age group, 0.25mL of vaccine (i.e. half of the adult dose) at an elected date and a second dose administered at least three weeks later may be considered sufficient. See section Pharmacodynamics. Children aged from 6-35 months: No clinical data are available for influenza vaccines with AS03 in this age group. Consideration may be given to dosing in accordance with the recommendation in children aged 3-9 years. Children aged less than 6 months: Vaccination is not currently recommended in this age group.
Ingredients: Formaldehyde, Polysorbate 80, Squalene, Thimerosal, Mercury, Egg protein, Sodium deoxycholate, DL-á-tocopherol.


Your GP is most likely going to recommend that you get the vaccine, but this does not constitiute an informed desicion. I recommend researching each ingredient so you are fully informed as to what will be entering into both your and your babies bloodstream. If you have read about the potential side effects and are content with your baby being exposed to these ingredients, then you have made an informed choice.
No one has a right to judge you either way....but it is better to have more information rather than less. Its no different to checking food in the supermarket to see if it contains artificial additives etc - and you have the right to know.


Best of luck with your decision.

PS - Homeopathic immunisation with natural medicine is the chosen alternative for a growing number of parents!!

[*Beema*]

I was booked in to get the Flu shot earlier this week and the Dr said that he wouldn't do it for another 4-5 weeks, as I was 10 weeks pregnany, he said that they don't recommend them in the first trimester as the swine flu shot is mixed in and there have been "connections" with the swine flu shot and early miscarrage. I know it was in the media at the time, but I don't know whether it has really been clarified that the miscarriages were actually due to the swine flu shot or purely coincidental.

I forgot to ask my OB but will at my next appointment to see what her thoughts are.

We get the flu shot to help provide better protection for DD, as she has atelectasis of the right lung (isn't properly inflated), when ever she has been sick in the last 6 months it has ended up requiring a hospital stay due to respiratory issues, so we hope for us getting it it will reduce the risk of her getting the nastier form of the flu. She has to have it as she is high risk and was bulk billed.

It is apparently free for pregnant women as well

[chody47]

Thanks for the info everyone. It seems that the whole thing is quite confusing as there are arguments for both sides.

JellyBean, what you said has really hit a cord with me, especially the mercury and autism bit. I work with kids with special needs (including kids with autism) and, while I absolutely love working with them, I can imagine that I would blame myself majorly if I did have it and then my (potential) child had autism. Also, having had a miscarriage last month I am a bit hesitant with taking anything....

I think I might see where I am in my cycle at the time. If I am definately not pregnant at the time I might have it. If I am unsure or definitely pregnant I might hold off until at least the second trimester (and see what my doc thinks).

Thanks again everyone!