Flu vaccines for pregnant women
In NZ we are mostly giving the flu vaccine in the 2nd and 3rd trimesters, but if flu circulates widely it can be given in the 1st trimester. There is much evidence about the safety of the (inactivated) vaccine in pregnancy1; the rationale is:
- 32% of all pregnant women with H1N1 flu last year were hospitalised
- 13% of all H1N1 deaths last year were pregnant women
- Some immunity passes to the infant to help in the flu season after birth
1. Tamma P et al.Safety of influenza vaccination during pregnancy. AJOG 2009;201(6):547-552.
http://download.journals.elsevierhealth.com/pdfs/journals/0002-9378/PIIS0002937809011089.pdf(external link) (accessed 26 April 2010)
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