if you have SF vac does your baby still have to have it?

[STORM01]

Hi

This maybe a really stupid question but if I have the Swine Flu Jab now (Im pg...18wks) does the immunity pass on to baby meaning that he/she will not have to have the vaccination when born/a little bit older?

I am in 2 minds whether to have it or not as I am generally very healthy (touch wood)& although I have been scared by reading a few other posts on here I know that these are the extreme cases.

I do work closely with the public & yet have managed many years of good health with no "normal" flu vaccine.

Any advice/comments appreciated.

My understanding is if you have the vaccine when pregnant, and then breastfeed, you will continue to protect your child. I believe they cannot vaccinate until 6 months old. Not sure how long baby is protected if not breastfed.

I am 28 weeks, and had my jag 12 weeks ago.

If you get vaccinated then some antibodies will be passed on to your baby before it's born. This usually starts at about 28 weeks gestation and increases up to about 32-36 weeks; so yes, you will get some immunity transferred this way as well if the baby is born at term. It's only part of the complete immune response but is likely to help protect an infant from severe SF disease.

The maternal antibodies passed on to the baby do wane, but should provide some protection for about 6 months.

BFing is very likely to help too, in all sorts of ways.

Surely the vaccine goes straight through the placenta to the baby anyway? Therefore in effect the baby is getting vaccinate whilst in utero?