The flu jab will protect both you and your baby.
There is good evidence that pregnant women have a higher chance of developing complications if they get flu, particularly in the later stages of pregnancy.
One of the most common complications of flu is bronchitis, a chest infection that can become serious and develop into pneumonia. Other complications are not common, but include:
If you have flu while you’re pregnant, it could mean your baby is born prematurely or has a low birthweight, and may even lead to stillbirth or death in the first week of life.
Yes. Studies have shown that the flu vaccine is safe during any stage of pregnancy, from the first few weeks up to your expected due date. The vaccine doesn’t carry risks for either you or your baby.
Women who have had the flu vaccine while pregnant also pass some protection on to their babies, which lasts for the first few months of their lives.
The vaccine also poses no risk to women who are breastfeeding, or to their babies.
The flu vaccine is normally available from September until around January or February each year. It is free for pregnant women.
If you’re eligible for the vaccine, try to have it as soon as possible so that you’ll be protected by the time the flu viruses are circulating in the winter.
Don’t worry if you find that you’re pregnant later on in the flu season, though, you can have the vaccine then if you haven’t already had it.
Contact your midwife or GP to find out where you can get the flu vaccine. It’s a good idea to get vaccinated as soon as possible after the vaccine becomes available in September.
In some areas, midwives can give a flu vaccine at the antenatal clinic, while in others you will need an appointment at your GP practice.
Some community pharmacies now offer flu vaccination on the NHS.
Yes, because the viruses that cause flu change every year. This means that the flu (and the vaccine) this year may be different from last year. If you had the flu vaccine last year, either because you were pregnant or because you’re in a vulnerable group, you need to have it again this year.
Read more about how the flu vaccine works.
No. The vaccine doesn’t contain any live viruses, so it can’t cause flu. Some people get a slight temperature and aching muscles for a couple of days afterwards, and you may feel a bit sore at the injection site.
Read more about flu vaccine side effects.
Yes, you can have the flu jab at the same time as the whooping cough vaccine, but don’t delay your flu jab simply so you can have both at the same time.
Pregnant women are at risk of severe illness from flu at any stage of pregnancy, so really need to have the flu vaccine as soon as possible.
The best time to get vaccinated against whooping cough is from 20 weeks, after you’ve had your scan, up to 32 weeks of pregnancy.
To read more of the original article please click here.
