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Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Original poster

Anyone else worried about taking the Flu Jab?

30 replies

babybear2468 · 11/10/2013 13:35

Hi,

I have been doing some research and according to a few sources - there is a concern over having the flu jab if it contains mercury based preservatives (Fluvirin or Thimerosal), as it has been known to link to autism in children and babies.

Has anyone been able to get mercury-free flu jabs from their GP?
Did anyone have luck in checking the contents of the jab before they took it?

Possibly I am the only one worrying here...

Here is one of the articles i read (not normally a daily mail reader):

www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-153722/Mercury-flu-vaccine-linked-autism.html

OP posts:
cathpip · 11/10/2013 13:39

Have had mine this morning, did not read into it. I had the swine flu jab in 2010 when pregnant with my dd, (she is fine!) i do not want flu esp when pregnant.

Featherbag · 11/10/2013 13:42

There's no mercury listed in the composition info for this year's flu jab, and even if there was you'd get more in a tin of tuna! Stop reading the Daily Fail, no good will ever come of it, they never let the truth get in the way of a good sensationalist story!

PoppyAmex · 11/10/2013 13:47

Daily Mail "health" and "science" articles have zero credibility.

Even when they loosely quote "scientific studies", the spin they put on the stories is usually misleading, ridiculous or both.

Dobbiesmum · 11/10/2013 13:50

Is everything going to get linked to autism? There is nothing wrong with the flu jab. I've had several and have had no side effects whatsoever in any shape or form. It doesn't give you flu either, just in case you read that one! Smile
The DM health news can be iffy at best, I think they get most of their information from Natural Health News Half the time...

ovenbun · 11/10/2013 14:10

oh god, they championned the mmr research too..which the dr has been struck off for as it was so rubbish....if you would like to discuss it with your gp please do, but please dont listen to a word of that rag :)

Stom91 · 11/10/2013 14:11

I've had mine. I feel fine. Also thwy nurses said that Australia have flu season for at so they get the flu jab first so if they're any problems they'd find out before us.
I wwouldn't worry. US mums have enough to worry about... I certainly don't want flu during pregnancy as is can kill x

MrsCakesPremonition · 11/10/2013 14:13

I think I'd stick to the NHS advice here, rather than the DM.

JoJoManon · 11/10/2013 15:56

I just had it and questioned my GP on it, ie was she sure there were no known side affects for my baby and she guaranteed it.
I am actually a bit averse to jabs in general and haven't gone for the whooping cough jab but hat's a different story, however the point is, I definitely don't see a risk to the baby by having the flu jab and certainly wouldn't have if I thought there were any risks at all. If anything the downsides of not having it are a far worse prospect in my view anyway

Julietee · 11/10/2013 16:18

I completely get the worry - it's understandable to want to protect the baby from scary stuff.
But don't put any faith in the DM - they luurve to link words like 'vaccine' and 'autism' because it's sensationalist and it gets people worrying therefore gives them more attention. They have such a history of this fearmongering crap.
Honestly, I'm worried too but definitely going to have the flu jab as I know I fall pretty hard with colds/ flu and don't want any possibility of baby being in any danger whatsoever from something I could have prevented.

Lostinspace1 · 11/10/2013 16:24

I think that article is old as I've just done a quick google (getting the flu vac next week) and the link between autism and vaccinations has been discredited.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Causes_of_autism

FrankelInFoal · 11/10/2013 16:28

Had my vaccination this afternoon. TBH I'm more concerned about the very real risks of catching flu whilst pregnant, than speculating over unproven "side effects ".

katebakes · 11/10/2013 16:36

So here goes.....

My friend who's three weeks behind me has been told point blank not to have the flu jab and has been critical of my choice. Her mother's cousin developed guillaine-barre syndrome and is now hospitalised. She told me that there is a link between the jab and this condition.

I don't take lightly to risk so I read many medical journal articles and it has been stated by the most recent retrospective study that actually any link between the two is statistically insignificant. The UK stated that for every 500,000 flu jabs one person who would not have otherwise developed this condition will.

The way I see it 2 out of one million is low enough statistically for me. This compared to the 1 out of 73,000 people that die of flu in the UK. The midwives and nurse told me it was in my best interests to have the vaccination, so I did.

I felt fine afterwards - my arm is a bit swollen but other than that I'm ok. The baby was active afterwards and I'm so happy I don't have to worry about catching flu.

Julietee · 11/10/2013 16:52

That's a really good bit of perspective, katebakes

StinkerBoo · 11/10/2013 17:54

I've had it and so has DH (it's offered for those who would like it at his work place), I hate scare mongering about inoculations, we are so lucky to have access to them!

YoniMitchell · 11/10/2013 17:59

Seriously, don't believe everything you read in the Daily Mail!

I had my jab yesterday, a bit of a bruised arm today and some flu-y symptoms which should ease off tonight/tomorrow. I'm glad I had it though (on my GP and MW advice), the benefits outweigh any speculative/ miniscule risks IMO.

Original poster
babybear2468 · 11/10/2013 18:02

thank you fot all your feedback and opinions. I have decided I will have the flu jab given those odds. its not worth risking getting the flu.

thank you so much all for helpingSmile

OP posts:
ovenbun · 14/10/2013 08:59

great contribution katebakes :) if only the dm would print sensible stats like that :)

Writerwannabe83 · 14/10/2013 09:31

I had mine last Wednesday. I was at my 16 week midwifery appointment and she asked me if I'd had my flu jab yet, I told her no and she made me have it before I left Smile She said that because pregnant women's immune systems are so low the risk of us catching the flu and being seriously ill are very high. I've had the flu jab every for the past 10 years so it wasn't an issue for me really. I'm happy to put my trust in the medical teams and I doubt they'd be advocating the immunisation if there really were any proven genuine risks to the baby.

Tea1Sugar · 14/10/2013 09:47

I had flu and swine flu jab in 2010 with dd - she's fine! Having the flu jab next week when I'll be 14 weeks with dc2.

Julietee · 14/10/2013 10:15

I had mine on sat - no symptoms whatsoever except a sore arm! (though the jab itself was painless)

AhoyAhoy · 14/10/2013 11:08

Is 38 weeks too late to get it?- is it likely to make me feel rough for when labour possibly starts?

MW told me about it 2 weeks ago, I didn't want to take more time off work so haven't had it yet. Seeing her today, 37+6,just started mat leave, but I can guarantee that her response will be "the dept of health advises it".

Don't mean to hijack post, but anyone due soon who is/ isn't having it? I am honestly naïve as to the genuine effects of flu, so will do some research now anyway.

Stom91 · 14/10/2013 15:04

Im 30 weeks and had it last week. Felt fine.. Just had a sore arm for a couple of days.

Flu can kill in pregnancy.. I'd hate to get flu and something happen to my baby because I didn't get a little jab.

Excited85 · 14/10/2013 15:32

Ahoyahoy, I had mine at 38+6. To be honest, I wasn't going to for exactly the same reasons as you, I'd read that some people can feel a little rough afterwards and dreaded the idea of going into labour feeling ill. Plus I'd heard it takes a week or two to kick in. However, after getting funny looks saying this at an antenatal fitness class I go to plus my midwife I figured that the protection to me whilst baby is little is worth it, even though it might not be worth it in terms of protecting the baby in utero. Either way, at least I wouldn't kick myself if I did get ill this winter with a newborn. Side effects wise other than a sore arm for a few days I've been fine. Hope that helps.

IneedAsockamnesty · 14/10/2013 15:50

You can even get it done in chemists and supermarkets these days for around £12 think Asda is the cheapest at £7.

If you have it as long as its done 21 days before birth you even pass on some immunity to the baby apparently it can take up to 21 days to fully protect you or something like that,

It shouldn't make you feel rough at all its not a live virus ( well the injection isant but the nose spray is)

PoppyAmex · 14/10/2013 16:01

I tried getting in at the supermarket but they refused on the grounds of my pregnancy - had to get it from the Health Centre.