Flu Vaccine, should I get it? please help

[paris1]

I have been told by my obstetrician to get the flu vaccine and I have been also told by my GP not to get it. I am really confused.

My GP said that because all the problems that happened last year in WA and a big number of kids getting sick after the vaccine they have received a letter from the Health department. No to give the vaccine to children under 5. With regards to pregnant women GPs should measure the benefits against the risks ( as studies from last year and the year before of vaccinated mothers and their babies will be conducted this year) and this winter they recommend the vaccine only to expecting mother with health related problems as diabetes and chronic respiratory diseases etc.

Have any of you have got the flu vaccine during this or last pregnancies?

I do not have any chronic disease should I get it as my obstetrician recommends it?

[Kimbles01]

I am 18 weeks and checked with my OB, she said as long as I wasn't allergic to eggs etc, then it would be a good idea to get the shot.

[Winter]

I'm generally a vaccer, and have been vacced for everything under the sun, but I don't tend to bother about the flu shot. Unless you're particularly at risk, its not exactly life threatening. I'd skip it. JMHO though. xox

[Arimeh]

I wouldn't have anything injected into my body that they can't 110% guarantee will have no ill effects on my baby.

So no, I would not have the flu shot.

But, I'm pretty much against the flu vaccine even when not pregnant, so really it's a no brainer for me . Although, I've been pregnant 4 times in 4 years and not once have I been told to get a flu shot?

[Yeddi]

The flu vaccine contains thermasol (aka mercury), I personally think giving this vaccine to pregnant women is against the hippocratic oath - "first, do no harm". Despite what some people might say, there's been plenty of studies (even by pro-vaxers too) that show that groups that have had vaccines with thermasol in them have significantly more neurological disorders than those who have had vaccines without thermasol.

MARK R. GEIER1 AND DAVID A. GEIER "Neurodevelopmental Disorders after Thimerosal-Containing Vaccines: A Brief Communication"

[helle]

The year I got the flu shot I got sick more times than I can even remember. So nope, I'm not getting it either.

[PollyA]

In 2009, for reasons not fully understood, pregnant women became very unwell with the H1N1 outbreak, particularly those in the 3rd trimester. I was pregnant at the time and did considerable research before getting the fluvax.
There were many different opinions amonst doctors but the advice from the Centre for Disease control in Australia and worldwide strongly recommended getting it. I contracted swine flu early in my pregnancy, in the height of the outbreak and it was awful, and scary, there were many pregnant women on ventilators in ICU who had respiratory failure after getting the flu. By the time I was in the third trimester the second peak was occurring and I got the vaccine to protect me the following season as well.
I did not take the decision lightly but it has become more generally accepted in the medical fraternity that pregnant women are at particular risk from flu and should be vaccinated. Perhaps your obstetrician will have some literature supporting his recommendation.
It also depends on your risk. if you were working in a high risk area like education, health care or childcare I think your chances of being exposed are greater and therefore it warrants some consideration.

Good luck with your decision and here's to a happy healthy pregnancy

[LimeSlice]

No I didn't get it. Would never even consider getting it. My Ob advised AGAINST it, as did my GP and Specialist Ob at the hospital.

[LizLemon]

I'm currently considering it, but will probably decide against it. I am a SAHM and DS is not in any form of day care. I am at far less risk of catching it than I was when pregnant with DS.

In relation to the thimerosal content I have read on a number of sources that it's possible to obtain the vaccine without it - if that's a concern maybe look into it.

My OB recommends it, and while I believe it is most likely safe (I had it with DS with no problems) I just feel for me at the moment I would rather put as few things into my body as possible. I guess you just need to look at your own circumstances and what you feel comfortable with.

[HotI]

I was offered it multiple times during pregnancy (going through public hospital system) and chose not to get it.

I don't see it as a necessary thing to have, so the potential risk to bub (whether minor or not) just wasn't worth it.

[Ysabell]

Please, please get the vaccine. Last year in WA a few pregnant women died along with their babies because they caught the flu. I work in a virus lab attached to a maternity hospital here, and its heartbreaking that something so preventable could kill so many people. Especially Swine flu, which is still the prominant strain of Influenza in Australia. The what could happen if you catch the flu, compared to the tiny, miniscule "maybe" risks are no contest!

[Taryn]

Hi Paris,

I had the vaccine last week! My OB and GP said it was all good (although it's scary seeing all of the OB's saying no, i'm nervous now!) So for me, I decided to do it. I was 20 weeks at the time!

I also work in disability though and unfortunately get exposed to all kinds of germs so thought it would be for the best!

Fingers crossed it was all good though xox