Flo Shots and Pregnancy

Filed in archive General Health on February 14, 2007

Should you get a flu shot when you're pregnant? I'd always heard that you should get the shot only if really necessary - if you had an existing medical condition, or were in the high risk category. Otherwise, a flu shot was not advised.

Canadian researchers have been digging into past medical records and they've discovered that pregnant women have a high risk of getting the flu. CBC News reports that Cr. Linda Dodds and her team of researchers in halifax looked through thirteen years of records and discovered:

"In conclusion, our study provides robust, population-based data showing that all pregnant women are at increased risk of influenza-associated respiratory illness," the study's authors wrote.

"Since hospital admissions because of respiratory illness during the influenza season were also increased among pregnant women without comorbidities, all pregnant women are likely to benefit from influenza vaccination."

And, according to the Flu News Blog, it's good for baby, too:

Pregnant women should get a flu shot because it can protect both her and her baby, a new study released in San Francisco says.

Current vaccines are not licensed for babies under 6 months. But, the study says it appears that an expectant mother immunized during the last three months of pregnancy will automatically protect her baby for its first 6 months, USA Today says.