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not. It also found no benefit to the infants of women who had been vaccinated." In fact, two studies have found that there were significantly more hospitaliza ons related to flu- like illness of women who were vaccinated than of women who weren't. (Munoz, Neuzil) Regarding the claim that influenza in pregnancy is more serious than in the general popula on, and that it increases risks to the fetus, the ACIP's recent policy cites only limited evidence which actually showed that for those pregnant women who actually contracted the flu based on serologic evidence of infec on, influenza infec on had no significant impact on labor outcomes, health of the newborn, or maternal wellbeing. I s t h e F l u Va c c i n e S a f e i n P r e g n a n cy ? Many women decline to receive the flu vaccine because they are worried about introducing chemicals and medica ons into their systems – and their baby's – during the precious months when their babies are growing and developing. And since we all pre y much know somebody who said they got the flu right a er ge ng the flu shot – actually, more likely to be vaccine side effects, but nonetheless, enough to make a lot of people think the vaccine makes you sick. In 2009, the highest recorded number of pregnant received the flu vaccine, and this was s ll only 50%. Many are skep cal about both the safety and the effec veness of the flu vaccine, and a er what turned out to be as much media hype as reality about the dangers of H1N1 a few years ago, even more women are concerned. Poten al problems with the flu shot: S Because the vaccine, and the strain of flu vary from year to year, the vaccina on is more – or less – effec ve in any given year. In some years the vaccine may only be effec ve in as many as 50% of cases. So, bo om line, it o en doesn't work! Allergic reac ons can happen; i.e., folks with severe egg allergy cannot get this vaccine. S A rare reac on called Guillaine-Barre Syndrome (GBS) occurs in 20-40 people who receive the flu shot annually. S Side effects are rela vely common and include fever, aches, and redness/soreness at the injec on site. S Most flu vaccines s ll contain Thimerosol, that mercury derived preserva ve, which has been removed from most vaccina ons due to risk of mercury neurotoxicity from exposure through vaccina ons and other environmental sources. Overall the rates of overt adverse reac ons, such as GBS, are rare, though it is true that many people who receive the vaccine do report flu-like symptoms in the days immediately post-vaccina on. The greater concern is not severe acute reac ons, but the long-term unknown effects of fetal vaccine exposure, and the reality is that they are just not well- studied. We know that thimerosal is a neurotoxin, and that the fetus accumulates mercury from the mother's system; therefore, it is ideal to accept only Thimerosol-free vaccines during pregnancy. Some manufacturers produce single dose injec ons that are free or, or contain only minimal amounts of this chemical. According to Ayoub and Yazbak, "Because the benefits of influenza vaccina on during pregnancy appear lacking, a safety-benefit analysis should not tolerate any risk to vaccine recipients or their offspring, even at a theore cal level." I f Yo u D o C h o o s e t h e Va c c i n e Choosing to get the flu vaccine is a reasonable decision and not one to beat yourself up about. There are a few things you can do to op mize safety: S Do NOT get the nasal spray vaccine during pregnancy. It is made with live virus and is not considered safe in pregnancy. S The flu shot is made from an inac vated virus, and is the only recommended vaccina on for use in pregnancy. S Don't get vaccinated if you have a fever or otherwise feel unwell. S Don't get the flu vaccine if you have a moderate to severe egg allergy. S ASK YOUR DOCTOR FOR A THIMEROSAL FREE flu vaccine. They are available and it may need to be special ordered for you. The thimerosal-free versions usually come as a single dose injec on; the mul -vial prepara ons are much more likely to contain the preserva ve. Whether to vaccinate during pregnancy can be a tough decision to make. Abby's Magazine - Volume 5 Issue 5 | Page 45