Can pregnant women get the flu shot?

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

Most girls are worried about the flu shot during pregnancy, do they really need it? Of course, every expectant mother wants to protect herself and her child from all kinds of infections and diseases. In this article you will find the answer to the question: "Can pregnant women get a flu shot?" and a number of contraindications to vaccination.

How dangerous is the disease for pregnant women?

Every mother-to-be worries about flu shots for pregnant women, because this particular virus can cause great harm to the body. The disease, if not properly diagnosed and treated, can be fatal or lead to disability. Women in position are at risk, and therefore they should know if they give the flu shot to pregnant women and how to do it in general?

The virus is also considered dangerous because, as soon as a new life is born in the girl's body, the protective functionsweaken a little. Because of this, most expectant mothers suffer from colds during pregnancy. An acute respiratory viral infection is not as dangerous as the flu. If a girl becomes ill with a virus at an early date, placental abruption is possible. In addition, the transferred disease is fraught with future pathologies for the baby.

Influenza Prevention

There are several ways to protect yourself and your unborn baby from the risk of getting sick. For this, hand hygiene is essential. In crowded places, transport, hospitals, a pregnant woman should wear a mask. You need to change it after a couple of hours, otherwise there will be no effectiveness from its use. A pregnant girl should limit herself to frequent visits to supermarkets and shops, as they are a place where a large number of infections accumulate. You can catch the infection by airborne droplets, so you should avoid contact with sick people.

The best and most common method of protection against the virus is the flu shot during pregnancy. There is no other way to protect yourself and your unborn baby from infection yet.

Can pregnant women get the flu shot?

This question, as mentioned, worries most women in position. In the absence of contraindications to vaccination, of course, they do it. Experts abroad say that pregnant women can be vaccinated against influenza at any time. One of the main conditions is that you should not vaccinate the expectant mother during the epidemic. This is explained by the fact that after the procedure, protection against infection beginswork in only three weeks.

Can pregnant women get a flu shot in Russia? How are things here? Doctors say that vaccination should be started from the second trimester of pregnancy. Specialists are against vaccinations at the beginning of fetal development due to the fact that it is at this moment that organ formation occurs. For some babies in the womb, this procedure may not work very well. In this case, you should not risk the he alth and development of the fetus.

Doctors advise mandatory flu shots for pregnant women who often get respiratory tract infections, as the virus can lead to serious complications for the unborn baby.

Contraindications for flu vaccination for pregnant women

Vaccination against a viral infection is not given if there are a number of restrictions. Before the procedure, the specialist examines the girl. Once approved, vaccinations can be made. But there are several contraindications for which pregnant women should not be vaccinated against influenza:

• individual intolerance to egg white is one of the reasons. The vaccine itself is made from this component, so people with an allergy to it can have a serious danger to life, both for the mother herself and for the child;
• Upper respiratory tract infection during the vaccination period is also a major limitation. If you still make an injection, it may be observeda significant deterioration in the patient's well-being, which is reflected in the condition of the fetus;
• previously vaccinated a pregnant girl was very difficult to transfer. In this case, you can refuse to carry out the procedure;
• Part of flu vaccines are not available for women who are pregnant because they can harm the he alth of a person who is immunocompromised.

In case of problems with the functioning of the adrenal glands and problems with the nervous system, additional consultation with a specialist will be required.

What are the possible consequences and adverse reactions after vaccination?

As a rule, flu shots of any category of citizens are given free of charge in any hospital. Most girls in position tolerate it well. Therefore, there are very good reviews about the flu shot for pregnant women. A considerable number of expectant mothers do not regret the procedure at all. Immunity in this case is developed within three to four weeks after vaccination.

But, of course, there are a number of negative side effects. After the injection, there may be a slight swelling or rash. These symptoms usually disappear on their own after a few days. Therefore, you should not particularly worry about this, but, of course, you need to inform and appear to a specialist. Independent actions in relation to an adverse reaction do not need to be taken. The doctor himself will tell you what to do in this situation. Most antiallergic drugs are prohibited during pregnancy.

Sometimes a smallan increase in body temperature after a flu shot. Experts advise during this period to rest as much as possible, as the body develops immunity to infection. When the temperature is above 37.5 degrees, you should consult a doctor. You can take an antipyretic such as Paracetamol. Do not drink other drugs.

How to protect the future baby?

The specialist usually advises a pregnant woman to get a flu shot. Of course, she can refuse it. This is an individual matter for each person. But how does a flu shot affect a child? An injection given to a pregnant woman helps to strengthen the immunity of the fetus.

Most people are convinced that the vaccine is harmful to the baby. It's not like that at all. When it enters the body, an infection that has not yet been activated spreads through the blood. This virus also enters the baby through the placenta. Thus, immunity is strengthened in two people. This kind of protection remains with the baby for six months after birth. That is, for about six months you do not need to vaccinate your child against the flu.

What fears does a woman in position have about getting vaccinated against the flu?

Until the last, pregnant girls doubt whether to get vaccinated or not. They read a lot of literature on the subject. They also listen to the opinions of experts. After analyzing the literature, we can conclude that vaccination is necessary and necessary.

Also,they say that every year the flu virus is different, so it is considered useless. This is also a misconception. Usually people who do not want to get vaccinated spread such rumors. There is such a thing as cross-immunity. Yes, viruses change every season, but they come from the same microorganisms. If you suddenly get sick with a new type of infection, you will endure it much easier than the rest.

Important information about vaccination

There are several types of flu shots. For example, intranasal live vaccine is not used for pregnant women, as there is a high risk. A whole-virion inactive vaccine is usually dripped into the nose. Cleaved as well as subunit viruses are made intramuscularly. They contain antigens. The virosomal vaccine is considered the newest.

As you can see, each specialist will prescribe the correct vaccination for you. And you should not doubt its effectiveness and reliability.

Usually, pregnant women are given split and subunit vaccinations. They are well researched and tested. An injection that is administered to a pregnant girl will not entail the development of any defects in the unborn child. But you need to remember that the injection is done at a strictly fixed time, with the correct dosage of the medicine and in the absence of contraindications. In addition, this vaccine contains a substance that enhances immunity, which is a necessary moment for a pregnant woman.

Advice for pregnant women about flu vaccination

Should I get vaccinated at a time when a girl is inposition, of course, her own business. The injection is not mandatory for all categories of citizens, but there are people for whom such injections are highly recommended. Experts say that you should take care of your he alth in advance. If you and your husband are going to be pregnant soon, you need to get vaccinated against the flu in advance. In this case, you will not have to think about whether or not to administer a vaccine against the virus while already in a position.

But one of the main pieces of advice is that after you've had your flu shot while you're not pregnant, you need to plan on having a future baby in the next cycle. You can get more accurate information on this issue from a gynecologist.