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Original poster

Scared of getting flu, scared of getting flu vaccine

31 replies

L0ngg0ne · 15/01/2018 02:05

Title says it all.

I had a pretty horrible cold (with one night of fever, the other days just severe headache, congestion, sore throat, and tickly cough resulting in vomiting). Was a nightmare experiencing that whilst pregnant. Symptoms were much worse than the average cold when you're not pregnant, and the cold took a look longer than usual to go away (I assume because of the compromised immune system during pregnancy). I was so worried about my baby - that me being ill (and coughing to aggressively) would harm him. So, yeah, I REALLY don't want this Australian flu... BUT I've come across some accounts whereby the flu vaccine has GIVEN people the flu - I don't want that, either!

Any pregnant women had this flu vaccine and been fine? Any not been fine?

I'd like to hear your experiences.

Thank you!

OP posts:
BattleCuntGalactica · 15/01/2018 02:10

Christ.

The flu vaccine does not give you flu. Where are these accounts of people getting flu from it?

Flu myths

Bananarama12 · 15/01/2018 02:29

As above!
Get the jab!

pregz · 15/01/2018 02:32

Flu vaccine does not give you the flu , 35weeks had it Thursday just gone and I'm absolutely fine was worried about this too but the nurse reassured me that it is NOT a live vaccine so if you happen to get a cold or anything afterwards it is simply a coincidence!

Newbiecat · 15/01/2018 02:35

I’m currently recovering from presumed Aussie strain of flu. I wouldn’t wish this on anybody, I am so fatigued.
I had my flu jab - it’s been estimated this years vaccine is only 40-60% effective. I would still get the vaccine again.
I had this decision to make when I was pregnant during the swine flu epidemic. It was an easy one!
The worst symptoms you will get after vaccination are mild fever, runny nose, mid muscle aches. People die from flu, get immunised.

BedtimeTea · 15/01/2018 02:40

I would ask your doctor and follow their advice.

BedtimeTea · 15/01/2018 02:43

And I heard they are running out if the serum, so I'd be at your doctor tomorrow if I were you.

LondonLassInTheCountry · 15/01/2018 02:54

The flu jab IS NOT live.

It CAN NOT give you flu.

octoberfarm · 15/01/2018 03:19

It's literally scientifically impossible for the vaccine to give you the flu - what they give you is dead, not live, so it just can't. I understand you're scared, but please get the vaccine. Pregnant this end too and just had the flu (another one here who got the jab and got it anyway!) and it was miserable. I got the flu months after the vaccine so no chance at all they were related - I'd still get the vaccine again in a heartbeat. Hope you're feeling better soon.

mogulfield · 15/01/2018 03:54

I’ve had proper flu once in my life, it was truly awful. But I am naturally quite anxious about health matters and vaccines etc. That being said I decided to be brave and get it because the alternative is far worse (currently 35 weeks pregnant got it a few months ago).
I had it, it barely hurt, no ill effects and I’m pleased I have some protection from flu, and as a consequence feel less anxious now.
It’s difficult when you’re worried so I do understand your reluctance.

RebeccaCloud9 · 15/01/2018 04:07

Not saying he was right - but the nurse who have my daughter her fly vaccine told me to avoid people with suppressed immune system immediately after as it could give them flu.

Don't know if that's right or wrong but if medical professionals are giving out that advice it shows why people are getting the wrong idea about it.

littleflowershop · 15/01/2018 04:54

You cannot get the flu from the flu jab, it isn't a live vaccine.

Get the jab!

maybebaby88 · 15/01/2018 07:02

As many other people have said, the vaccine is NOT a live virus so it is impossible to catch the flu from it. However, some people's immune systems will react in a way that is similar to the flu, so ypu may get milder versions of the symptoms. I did, and it was just like a bad cold for a few days. Not particularly nice, but I'd rather go through that than risk having the flu. Plus when my baby is born I want him to have as muvh protection as possible against other peoples illnesses. Just get the jab.

hopingandprayingthistime · 15/01/2018 07:05

I’m in the same boat as you OP and haven’t yet had the jab as I am worried about reports that it has been linked to miscarriage?! It’s early days for me and I am scared to do anything that could harm the baby Confused

Marmite27 · 15/01/2018 07:09

I had the flu jab at about 16 weeks. DH did not have it this year.

He’s on his billionth day of man flu (I suspect it is the Aussie strain due to his symptoms all joking aside). I’ve had a bit of a sniffle.

It’s worth having, in my 1st pregnancy my waters went at 38 weeks when I was coughing.

Mrstobe90 · 15/01/2018 07:37

The vaccine isn’t live so it can’t give you flu. Smile

I had my jab a couple of months ago and other than my arm bring slightly achy for a couple of days, I was completely fine!

olicat · 15/01/2018 07:39

I had it at 9 weeks (am now 26 weeks). DP had the actual flu for over 2 weeks and it didn't touch me, but he was seriously rough. Its honestly not worth the risk when pregnant as obviously due to immune system being compromised the effects would be far worse and that is what's dangerous for the baby.

I will also be getting my whooping cough jab this week at my next appointment!

Sunshinegirl82 · 15/01/2018 07:47

The flu vaccine is generally administered differently to children (via nasal spray as opposed to injection) which might explain that @RebeccaCloud9

The injection cannot cause flu to anyone as the virus is dead. I've been trying to pay to get mine but boots have run out! Keeping everything crossed I avoid it!

ellesbellesxxx · 15/01/2018 07:48

@hopingandprayingthistime I haven't heard of any links to miscarriage? And midwives urge you to get the vaccine.. they couldn't if there were any proven links.
With gentle respect, it would be more dangerous for you to contract the flu xx

hopingandprayingthistime · 15/01/2018 08:04

Thanks @ellesbellesxxx I might just sort myself out this week and get it. Sorry I know it sounds ridiculous but I am very nervous about this pregnancy.

CountessOfStrathearn · 15/01/2018 08:06

There was one study that suggested a weak link between one year of the flu vaccine and miscarriage, but this was not a well done study:

www.tommys.org/our-organisation/about-us/charity-news/flu-jabs-and-miscarriage

There's more robust evidence that the flu vaccine reduces the risk of stillbirth:

www.fitpregnancy.com/pregnancy/pregnancy-news/flu-vaccine-pregnancy-may-reduce-stillbirth-risk

I've had the flu vaccine every year since whenever I was first offered it between work (healthcare) and pregnancies, and have never had a problem with it, other than a bit of a sore arm some years. I have had one late loss but that was due to genetic issues with the baby and nothing to do with the flu or the vaccine.

ellesbellesxxx · 15/01/2018 08:08

@hopingandprayingthistime I totally get you.. I found pregnancy full of worry and anxiety... when my twins arrived I was just so relieved that I wasn't pregnant any more and I could respond to them not second guess what was going on inside! Be really careful as to what info you access though, trust the health professionals xx

brogueish · 15/01/2018 09:23

Had vaccine at 16 weeks. Was warned I might feel off colour and/or arm might ache. Neither happened - felt absolutely fine. DH is at home feeling grotty today, I'm off to work as usual. Baby is perfectly healthy. Get the vaccine.

hopingandprayingthistime · 15/01/2018 09:27

Thanks guys, I’ve booked it in for this week, thanks for giving me the push I needed Flowers

mindutopia · 15/01/2018 09:44

It is absolutely impossible for the flu vaccine to give you the flu. That's just rubbish as others have said. Though it's entirely possible to get the flu after you've had the vaccine, as it takes 2 weeks to build immunity and you can still sometimes get the flu even if you have full immunity as it's not magic. If you're hearing stories like that, it's from people who didn't get the vaccine early enough before they caught the flu, so they got it anyway as the vaccine wasn't working yet. That's not the same thing as getting the flu from the vaccine. Unfortunately, there are some not very clever people out there.

The vaccine coverage isn't perfect and it doesn't offer especially great immunity to the Aussie strain of the flu this year (as that one hadn't emerged yet when the vaccine stocks were produced). But it's important to remember that that isn't the ONLY strain of the flu circulating. The jab will protect you against lots of strains if you happen to pick up one of those.

It's quite late now, but your GP should still have some stock. I get the flu jab every year, pregnant or not, as I'm asthmatic. I've never had a single side effect from it in all these years other than the occasional sore arm sometimes for a day or two. So get it if you want. It's miserable being sick when you're pregnant, even with something mild and your immune system is already suppressed. No way in hell would I want the flu.

CountessOfStrathearn · 15/01/2018 20:32

"The vaccine coverage isn't perfect and it doesn't offer especially great immunity to the Aussie strain of the flu this year (as that one hadn't emerged yet when the vaccine stocks were produced). But it's important to remember that that isn't the ONLY strain of the flu circulating. The jab will protect you against lots of strains if you happen to pick up one of those."

The Aussie flu is similar to a flu that the vaccine DID cover in the winter 2015/2016 so if you had the vaccine then (through work like my DH or because you were pregnant like me or if you paid for it, for example), you will also get some protection from that.

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