Seasonal Influenza Vaccine in Pregnancy
INFLUENZA
Influenza is a virus that causes an illness that generally lasts for a few days but sometimes can be quite serious and lead to hospitalization and death. Generally persons most susceptible to influenza are older persons and people with chronic diseases. The symptoms of influenza include fever, non-productive cough, sore throat, chills, headache, and diffuse muscle aches. The influenza season in the United States occurs from December until April. The peak activity is from late December to early March. Pregnant women in all trimesters should consider the vaccine. In 2004 experts began recommending the vaccine in the first trimester as well.
INFLUENZA VACCINE
The influenza vaccine is not a live virus vaccine. In other words there is no chance of contracting influenza by receiving the shot-in-the-arm vaccine. The optimal time for vaccination is between September and mid-November. It takes approximately 1-2 weeks after vaccination for the antibody against influenza to develop and provide protection. The vaccine is needed on a yearly basis due to the virus changing on a yearly basis. Studies of healthy young adults have shown the influenza vaccine to be 70 to 90% effective in preventing influenza.
The influenza vaccine is recommended for the following groups: Persons that are age greater than 65 years, residents of nursing homes and other chronic care facilities, adults and children with chronic lung or heart disease or other major medical problems, health care providers, employees of facilities that provide care for people at risk for influenza, household members of people at risk for influenza, people of any age that wish to decrease their risk of contracting influenza, and pregnant women.
INFLUENZA VACCINE DURING PREGNANCY
There is evidence suggesting pregnancy might increase the risk of medical complications of influenza. It has been estimated that for every 1000 pregnant women vaccinated an average of 1-2 hospitalizations among pregnancy women for influenza could be prevented. Studies of thousands of women who have received the vaccine showed no adverse effects to the baby. Experts have always considered the vaccine safe during any stage of pregnancy but previously recommended avoiding the first trimester. Since 2004 they recommend all trimesters. Again because the vaccine IS NOT alive there is no risk of contracting influenza from the vaccine. Breastfeeding mothers as well can receive the vaccine without any adverse effect to the baby.
RISKS OF VACCINATION
Less than 1/3 of people who receive the vaccine have some soreness at the vaccinatoin site. Approximately 5-10% of people experience mild side effects such as a headache or a low-grade fever for about a day after the vaccination. One of the more serious side effects occurs in people who have severe allergies to eggs. The viruses that are used in the vaccine are grown in hen’s eggs and because of this people who have an allergy to eggs should not receive the influenza vaccine. The evidence linking the vaccine to a severe paralytic illness called Guinllain-Barre’ Syndrome is very week. The chance of getting GBS after the influenza vaccine administration is far less than the chance of getting severe influenza prevented by the vaccine.
Please inform us if you:
- Have a serious allergy to eggs.
- Ever had a serious allergic reaction or other people after getting an influenza vaccine.
- Ever were paralyzed by Guinllain-Barre’ Syndrome.
- Now have a moderate or serious illness.
Symptoms to be on the lookout for after receiving the vaccine include evidence of a severe allergic reaction that would would present with hives, difficulty breathing, or shock. If you have any significant side effects after administration of the vaccine, contact our office or the ER immediately.
I hope that this has been helpful in making a decision whether or not to become vaccinated this season with the influenza vaccine.
FYI: “FluMist” is a live flu vaccine that a person sprays into their nose. This vaccine is contraindicated in pregnancy. Pregnant women should not receive “FluMist.”