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Pregnancy

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

Original poster

Flu vaccination - is it safe when pregnant?

20 replies

charlyp · 10/10/2006 11:03

I have the offer of a flu vaccine from work every year, its just come through on e-mail, is it safe to have a flu vaccine when pregnant. I am 7 weeks tomorrow with my first and I guess the jab would be in 2 months time. I will ask the doctor at my next appointment but made me wonder about stuff like that. Any guidance please?

OP posts:
GeorginaA · 10/10/2006 11:06

I would guess not, tbh. Flu vaccine for a start is one of the few remaining vaccines that have thimersol in them - I wouldn't be comfortable having it while pregnant, and I'm pretty pro the flu vac (being asthmatic and having had the flu a couple of years ago).

GeorginaA · 10/10/2006 11:08

here says it's not routinely recommended unless medically indicated. Probably best to have a chat with your doc?

Jimjams2 · 10/10/2006 11:09

unless you are particularly susceptible to the flu I wouldn't even consider it (defintely not in the first trimester). If you do decide to go for it see if they can give a thimerosal free one.

anniediv · 10/10/2006 11:09

charlyp, I get the flu vaccine at work, but am 16 weeks pg, and occ health have said def 'no'.

GeorginaA · 10/10/2006 11:10

I don't think they do do a thimerosal one yet, jimjams At least, they didn't when I researched it last year, and I haven't heard of any changes this year.

Wilbur · 10/10/2006 11:11

I have the flu vaccine every year due to poor immunity, but when pregnant was advised not to have it. I didn't get flu those years either. No point in having a jab you don't need, esp when preg.

Jimjams2 · 10/10/2006 11:11

really georginaa- gosh I'm quite shocked (even though I know its only been taken out of baby jabs I'm still shocked).

Jimjams2 · 10/10/2006 11:12

no bloody need for the evil stuff to be in there either, except cost .

Original poster
charlyp · 10/10/2006 11:20

is Thimersol the stuff that is also in decaf? I am finding it hard not to have coffee at least in the mornings and so switched to decaf but apparently decaf has something beginning with th.. which is worse than drinking regular coffee

its quite difficult getting to grips with the various do's and don'ts

OP posts:
GeorginaA · 10/10/2006 13:16

Right, have researched a bit more. It does appear that there are thiomersal-free flu jabs (in that they recommend a pregnant woman have those if available) so maybe some are being made with a different preservative this year.

However, if it's anything like our surgery, flu vaccine is like gold dust so it's a bit of a "like it or lump it" attitude.

Problem is, flu vaccine is in such high demand...

CharlyP: thiomersal or thimerosal (two spellings - one is UK, one is US and I never remember the right way around) is a mercury-based preservative (ethyl mercury). I hadn't heard of it being used in decaf tbh, but I never drink the stuff as it tastes vile and still has caffeine in it anyway

Eliboo · 10/10/2006 13:17

Interesting - I asked my gp, more out of curiousity than anything else, and she said 'yes its fine'
She's usually very conservative about meds in pregnancy, so thats odd.
Might it be because I'm well into the third trimester??

GeorginaA · 10/10/2006 13:21

Eliboo - I think basically there's no records of it ever being a problem. However, they don't like to give any meds while you're pregnant unless absolutely necessary. Perhaps your GP considered that the risks to you and baby in particular if you caught the flu put you in the absolutely necessary camp?

Eliboo · 10/10/2006 13:36

That makes sense, thanks. But think I'll check it out a lot more having seen this thread anyway!

GeorginaA · 10/10/2006 13:38

Demand a thiomersal-free one if you go that route and can

TheBlonde · 10/10/2006 13:48

My office doc said no to giving me the jab when pg

Eliboo · 10/10/2006 14:54

Hmm. Think I'll ask the obstetrician when I next see her, am curious as to what she'd say - and I trust her feedback. Will update

Shivvy23 · 10/10/2006 17:03

You cant have a flu jab whilst pregnant as it is a live vaccine. I know this as am a practice nurse!

GeorginaA · 10/10/2006 17:10

That's rather worrying. Do you think someone should tell the NHS ?

"The vaccine doesn't contain any live virus, so it can't cause flu."

GeorginaA · 10/10/2006 17:12

There should have been a at the end of that post!

Original poster
charlyp · 10/10/2006 17:14

Thanks Shivvy for clearing that up

I did a search online at work earlier and it said pretty much the same

Since they are hard to get but I get one through work anyway (work for healthcare co.) I have always had one before

But will leave it this time and take my chances!! Colleague got winter vomitting flu last year so fingers crossed will not get a repeat of that!!

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