Mumsnet Talk

Hi I'll be 18 weeks pregnant tomorrow and have only recently been given information about having the seasonal flu jab. I'm considering having it mainly to afford some protection to my baby next winter.

I'm not really sure where to go for the best up to date information in order to make an informed decision.

Please also share your knowledge and experience of this vaccine with me.

Thanks

Your GP? Or local pharmacist?

Last year (when I was pregnant) it was highly recommended for all pregnant women, in fact people kept phoning me to check I'd had it. I haven't really been paying attention this year, but your doctor presumably would be!

ATruth I have already spoken to my GP about it, she thinks it would be a good idea to have it though was far from being pushy about it.

Apolologies I maybe should have been clearer - I was hoping to be pointed in the direction of some research/studies/literature that evidences the risks/safety that I could read independently. There seems to be a fair amount available on swine flu but not seasonal flu, is this possibly because it is not controversial?

the seasonal flu vaccine now contains the H1N1 strain, so the H1N1 literature applies to the seasonal vaccine now, too. This year has very low flu activity.

Breastfeeding will afford your baby protection. Flu strains change every year, it will be different next year. Also babies do not get offered flu jabs in the UK.

I have never been offered a flu jab with any of my pregnancies, infact I had the flu with my last baby. He was fine.

Please look into it. Futher than a white coat or mumsnet.

I don't think there's any point in getting it now because we're coming out of flu season and it was quite a quiet year for flu anyway. You can consider it again in September when next year's flu jab comes out. As number mentioned, BF will help to protect the baby.

Thanks for your responses everyone. Decided against the swine flu jab when pregnant with my DS (2009-10). Thought I should at least consider it. number good point about flu strains changinging though. I intend bfeeding again.

Just a little added thought - I work on a busy a&e admissions ward and we have had many admissions within the last fortnight for patients with flu - particularly influenza type A which is similar strain to swine flu. Although normally we would be coming out of flu season around now I think because of the mild winter we've had until now we are having a delayed flu season.

the jab is pretty safe, the composition is very well tested and has been more or less in use unchanged for years. the only thing changeing is the flu strain.
but ultimately it is your decision.

Did pregnant women get offered the seasonal flu vaccine before the whole swine flu debacle? I don't remember being offered it...

not in the uk on the nhs, but basically everywhere else.

"the jab is pretty safe, the composition is very well tested" mousymouse even with the H1N1 now added?

What's actually in the jab - anyone know? I guess you would be better looking at a list of the ingredients in the first place before making a decision.