Does SF jab protect new born at birth?

[whifflegarden]

Haven't seen mention of this on any other threads. Can anyone tell me if the vaccination would provide new born with protection after birth?

I'm 33 weeks plus and had decided not to have the vaccination. But after today's story with sad 5 yr old death.....I'm concerned about my new born contracting the virus, and as far as I'm aware there's no preventative measure that can be given to very young babies.

Any links/advice much appreciated.

Hi whifflegarden, I am 32wks pregnant and after much much much debate, I am booked in tomorrow to receive the jab. I have heard that your unborn baby will receive antibodies from you and its like the seasonal flu jab that will last after they are born.

this is about the different kinds, one of which contains mercury

One dose of Pandemrix contains 5mcg thiomersal (the mercury based preservative). It's not wholly mercury, about half. The FDA "safe" level is 1.5 micrograms per kilogram of body weight. So the "safe" level for a newborn would be about four and a half or five mcg. I believe mercury can pass through the placenta but not sure about thiomersal. If it does, who can tell how much. It's all very difficult.

I hope you're offered the other one.

Thanks both, and good dluck with the jab MM. Stuffit, that link doesn't work for me unfortunately.

I wish it was an easier decision to make and of the view that everyone has to make the decision they feel is best for them.

For me the question is - are the side effects (if any more, or less likely to happen.... and would they be more, or less damaging to a new born than contracting SF.

Strangely enough, I'm less worried about myself contracting the sf...as I do have a very "robust" immune system, and never get ill. I'm in the fortunate position of being able to rest plenty and make sure I maintain a healthy diet.

it doesn't, does it. try again

ok that works!

I had the jab on Wednesday. I am 35 weeks.

I asked my GP's advice and she said that it is far far worse to have swine flu than any perceived risk of this injection. My other GP said she was glad I'd chosen to have the injection and protect myself because there were a lot of nasty cases around at the moment. Third GP told me that a large number of the pregnant women she'd treated for swine flu had been hospitalised, and a few were in ITU. A friend of mine spoke to her consultant and he said the same - they were in Leicester where there are one of the bigger hospital units for swine flu. Of the 16 pregnant women admitted there, 3 had died (the babies had all survived). Also, she was told that you pass on your antibodies to swine flu in the usual way so your baby should receive that protection for the first few months of life.

Hope that helps.

Also, there is mercury in the anti-d injection as well - which I have had to have 6 times in my life so far - 4 of which I was pregnant at the time. It's a very common injection to have.

Astonishing isn't it, that one's advised not to eat mercury laden fish but this and the anti-d are deemed acceptable.

Interesting article. Stuffit, I think for me the question is, are the dangers posed by mercury worse than the threat of my new born contracting sf? (If indeed the vaccine will protect him against the virus......)

I am 100% sure that I don't want the vaccine to prevent myself from sf.....I am in two minds (more actually) about whether to have it for protection of the baby when he's born.

Thanks everyone for your responses.

The amount of mercury in the vaccine is still only about as much as in a can of tuna, apparently.

And pregnant women are recommended against eating canned tuna and swordfish during pregnancy.

"In February 2004, a new analysis by the Environmental Protection Agency revealed that "about 630,000 children are born each year at risk for lowered intelligence and learning problems caused by exposure to high levels of mercury in the womb," nearly double the previous EPA estimate.

The amount of mercury in the vaccine is around to the safe level for a new born baby.

It's up to women what they do about it but there's no harm in having the facts to hand.

what we do about it

I am a woman, I'm not pregnant.