Flu jab- advice please!

[CheeseChomper]

Morning all,

Aware that this might have been done to death, but i've been booked in a for a flu jab in the next few days (nearly 29 weeks), and although i'm feeling fairly comfortable about having it done, there's still a niggle in the back of my mind that it might be bad for the baby. I think I feel this way because the jab has the swine flu vaccine in, and i'm a little worried that not enought testing has been done and that it might affect the baby in some way. However, i'm also aware that a nasty bout of flu could be equally dangerous- so a bit confused what to do for the best!

Anyone else either had the jab lately, or decided NOT to have the jab? Would like some opinions please!

I think it's personal choice. There's no real evidence available to say if it will harm a baby.

I have decided not to have it - due on 11th Dec.

The danger from flu is not huge, I don't think many people or babies have died from either.

Hi CheeseChomper,

The seasonal flu jab you have been offered does not have the swine flu vaccine in it, it has the swine flu strain in it (that has been deactivated).
Its not the same vaccine that was being used last year that some people had concerns about its ingredients, speed of production ect.
It is an ordinary seasonal flu vaccine, the same as any other year.
The seasonal flu vaccine has to change every year in order to match the strains of flu circulating.
So this year it has the swine flu strain and two others.
I'm a medical journalist and 27 weeks pregnant. I'll be having the seasonal flu jab if and when my surgery gets round to offering it to me.
Hope that helps

Hi CheeseChomper,

I wasa bit worried too but I have had friends have it (not pregnant ones, just asthmatic etc) and they experienced very few side effects. Also did a bit of research and it seemed pretty safe.

But it is your own choice - if I had been due earlier (due Feb 2nd) I probably wouldn't have had it.

If you're uncomfortable, perhaps talk to your GP? Mine was very helpful.

Hi cheese

I had the same concerns - I am only 14 weeks. I went to the appointment and asked the nurse for her opinion. She said in her day people were advised not to have it but with all the medical advances and research we are now recommended TO have it and she thinks that decison would never have been made without being certain it was ok as they tend to err on the side of caution.

The jab this year is not 'live' and so I didn't have any side effects from it - I had it 10 days ago

Hope that helps

There's some research to suggest that it protects babies in the first few months of life if mum has the jab while pregnant. I thought that was important for a winter baby. I had mine in the 2nd trimester, no side effects, so relieved now its done. In the US it has been routinely done for all pg women for years (hence the above research) with no probs. Was advised by two obs consultants to have it - flu is known to be dangerous for pg women and their babies, the vaccine is not, no brainer for me really. Good luck with your pg.

Thanks ladies, your responses have been helpful and put my mind at rest. I will go and have the jab- better to protect me and baby from flu over the winter than get it, have something bad happen, and then spend forever thinking 'what if?'. Better to be safe than sorry!