Flu Vaccine - please reassure me

[Sillyoldme]

Hello

Am booked to have the flu vaccine tomorrow - I will be 6+4. Im getting a bit worried as to
whether I should have it at all. Can someone please talk sense into me? Is getting flu in this stage of pregnancy really dangerous?

Thanks so much!

[cardamomginger]

I had my jab last year when I was around your stage and was fine. And, yes, you are both more likely to get flu cos you are preggers (reduced immune system) and it is more likley to be serious for you and for unborn DC if you do get it. Good luck and congratulations!

[Pippaandpolly]

I have the opposite worry Silly - my GP didn't mention it and I'm now wondering whether I should ask about getting it. (I'm 6+3 :) ) From what I've read the vaccine is the lesser of two evils, but it's really a personal choice I thin.

[Pippaandpolly]

'think'!

[mummysweeangel]

I got mine at around 8 weeks or 9 weeks from what i remember,

I felt really tired for a few days afterwards, but other than that ok.

But it is YOUR own personal choice whether to get it or not

[tebbles]

As you are in the early part of the first trimester maybe you should consider waiting and getting the flu jab for the new flu season next Autumn.

The Health Protection Agency website is saying that the number of flu cases are falling now and the flu jab takes a couple of weeks to become effective anyway so the risk of catching it (or getting protection from the flu jab) is lower now anyway.

[snowcake]

I thought they advised against vaccs in the first trimester? Not sure...

How long does it take for the vaccine to be effective once you get it?

[cocoachannel]

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/mumsnet_live_events/1108750-Live-webchat-about-the-swine-flu-vaccination-with-director-of-immunisation-Prof-David-Salisbury-Tues-21-Dec-noon-1pm

Have a read of this Silly- should reassure you.

[ButterflySally]

NHS choices website says the flu vaccine is safe to have at any stage of pregnancy and is recommended for all pregnant women. It also states that the vaccine is an inactive vaccine (i.e. it doesn't carry any live virus) and there is no evidence that such vaccines pose any risk for pregnant women or their babies.

I looked into it because I was a little apprehensive myself about getting the vaccine. However, I chose to have it and had my flu vaccine at about 10 weeks, I think.

HTH

[CrapBag]

I had the swine flu jab before it was combined then the combined one, both in this pregnancy. All fine except for a very sore arm.

Not worth the risk of getting flu when you are in a high risk category.

[Misty9]

I had my flu jab 2 weeks ago when I was 6 weeks pregnant. No probs - in fact the blood test hurt my arm a lot more! I read up on it and although the swine flu vaccine last year was less tested, the combined flu vaccine this year is fine. My midwife said she would have sat on the fence about swine flu vaccine, but is encouraging all to get combined this year.

Official line from DoH is that all pregnant women receive the vaccine, regardless of trimester.

[Officerswife]

I was pregnant last year when the swine flu reared its ugly head. I decided not to have the vaccine then because they hadn't tried it out on anyone pregnant and didn't really know what the effects might be.

I do know people who did have it though and they were absolutely fine, as were their babies so frankly it's up to you.