Flu vaccine pregnancy

Flu is more likely to cause severe illness in pregnant women than in women of reproductive age who are not pregnant. Changes in the immune system, heart, and lungs during pregnancy make pregnant women (and women up to two weeks postpartum ) more prone to severe illness from flu , including illness resulting in hospitalization. Pregnant women should get a flu shot and not the nasal spray flu vaccine. Flu shots given during pregnancy help protect both the mother and her baby from flu.

Vaccination has been shown to reduce the risk of flu -associated acute respiratory infection in pregnant women by about one-half. Postpartum women, even if they are breastfeeding, can receive either type of vaccine.

There is a lot of evidence to show that flu shots can be safely given to women during pregnancy. There are two types of flu vaccines : 1) a shot and 2) a nasal mist. The flu shot contains a form of the flu virus that is inactivated. It cannot cause disease. The shot can be given to pregnant women at any time during pregnancy.

A live, attenuated influenza vaccine is available as a nose spray. The nose spray vaccine is not recommended for pregnant women. The flu is more likely to cause severe illness in pregnant women than in women who are not pregnant.

Getting the flu during pregnancy increases your risk of becoming hospitalized. Prevent potential fetal health problems due to the flu. A flu shot decreases your risk of getting the flu during your pregnancy. It’s safe to get a flu shot at any time during pregnancy.

For best protection, get the flu shot annually by the end of October. You can get the flu vaccine at any stage of pregnancy. You should get it as early as possible in your pregnancy.

The flu season usually occurs between early October and April. If you are pregnant through two flu seasons, two vaccines , one in each season, may be necessary. The vaccine can be given any time during pregnancy , but experts recommend getting the vaccine as early as possible in the third trimester (between and weeks of pregnancy ). The whooping cough vaccine is also recommended for other adults who spend time with your baby. Which flu vaccine can pregnant women get? Should my baby get the flu vaccine?

Is it safe to have flu vaccine while pregnant? Can you give MMR during pregnancy? Flu During Pregnancy : Symptoms, Prevention, and Vaccinations.

During pregnancy , changes occur in your immune system, heart, and lungs.

Additional stress is put on the heart and lungs as the lung capacity decreases and heart rate increases during pregnancy. Even if you are generally healthy, changes in immune, heart, and lung functions during pregnancy make you more likely to get severely ill from flu. Flu shots are the best available protection for you – and your baby. Influenza Vaccination During Pregnancy. In addition to hospitalization, pregnant women with influenza are at increased risk of intensive care unit admission and adverse perinatal and neonatal outcomes.

Most miscarriages occurred in the first trimester, but several occurred during the second trimester. The median age of the fetus at time of miscarriage was weeks. The influenza vaccine is free for pregnant women as part of the National Immunisation Program (NIP).

Call your doctor immediately if you’re pregnant and have flu-like symptoms. Your doctor may prescribe antiviral medicines such as Tamiflu,.