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Pregnancy

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

Original poster

Flu jab yes or no?

51 replies

Charlie14 · 16/08/2022 11:05

I've never had a flu jab...I had my son 7 years ago and don't think I had one then either...I'm now 12 weeks pregnant and my dr have messaged about getting my 4th covid booster and flu jab. The covid booster I'm defo not having I've already had 3 jabs and had covid. But the flu jab I'm not to sure.. any advice would be great. Thanks

OP posts:
spinachmonster · 16/08/2022 16:40

Flopisfatteningbingforchristmas · 16/08/2022 11:29

Yes. I would also have covid vaccine because the effect wears off, your vaccines that you’ve had don’t cover omicron and your immune system is compromised during pregnancy. I saw what happened to my pre vaccination neighbour and her baby who caught covid when she was pregnant.

What happened please? I hope they were ok.

I am wary about jabs in pregnancy. But I've always had flu jab due to my nurse friend who said they get some really ill pregnant women with flu in their hospital.

TeddyBeans · 16/08/2022 17:07

GiltEdges · 16/08/2022 13:31

What risk would that be?

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The risk of flu to the baby? The whole reason they offer the vaccine in the first place?

DisplayPurposesOnly · 16/08/2022 19:04

www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/keeping-well/flu-jab/

RebeccaCloud9 · 16/08/2022 22:30

@Neverfullycharged if you HAD had flu, you'd be getting the jab! I have every year since I caught it. It's truly hideous.

AprilLady · 16/08/2022 22:43

There is a good reason that pregnant women are offered both Covid and flu jabs. Pregnant women have a higher chance of developing complications if they have flu, and are also more at risk of getting severe Covid (especially in late pregnancy). For pregnant women, the risk of complications from Covid or Flu far outweigh the risks associated with having the jabs, which is why medical professionals recommend them. Please do seriously consider having both.

acquiescence · 16/08/2022 23:08

AprilLady · 16/08/2022 22:43

There is a good reason that pregnant women are offered both Covid and flu jabs. Pregnant women have a higher chance of developing complications if they have flu, and are also more at risk of getting severe Covid (especially in late pregnancy). For pregnant women, the risk of complications from Covid or Flu far outweigh the risks associated with having the jabs, which is why medical professionals recommend them. Please do seriously consider having both.

This.

We are so lucky to be offered these vaccinations. I’ve just had my 4th COVID vaccination and am feeling very privileged to be given a better chance to keep me and my baby safe. I will be having my flu jab as soon as it is available, as I did with my other pregnancies.

Original poster
Charlie14 · 17/08/2022 16:11

AprilLady · 16/08/2022 22:43

There is a good reason that pregnant women are offered both Covid and flu jabs. Pregnant women have a higher chance of developing complications if they have flu, and are also more at risk of getting severe Covid (especially in late pregnancy). For pregnant women, the risk of complications from Covid or Flu far outweigh the risks associated with having the jabs, which is why medical professionals recommend them. Please do seriously consider having both.

I will be getting my flu jab. But I had my booster jab 3.5 months ago . I don't think I need a 4th booster just yet.

OP posts:
WTF475878237NC · 17/08/2022 16:16

I advise following NHS recommendations and if you have any specific concerns about your own medical history, speak to a GP.

^ this. It is shocking you're asking an internet forum about their opinion on what's best for your baby's safety.

passport123 · 17/08/2022 16:21

I'm a GP.

Over the years I've seen several women admitted to ITU with flu in the third trimester. They were all very ill. Some of their babies suffered life changing complications as a direct result of the flu.

And I know of three women who died and several more who had similarly bad outcomes due to covid in their third trimester.

Every single one of these women was unvaccinated against the virus which killed/harmed them.

I would strongly suggest that you have both, particularly as you are likely to be offered the new bivalent covid vaccine which is different to the previous ones and offers better cover. You're playing roulette with your baby's health otherwise.

8DPWoah · 17/08/2022 16:21

I generally think if the NHS is using its limited budget and resources to offer something targeted to protect my or my kids' health then it's advisable to take them up on it- if there weren't many and varied benefits to dishing out these jabs then they wouldn't, they'd put the resource elsewhere.

I don't presume to know better than the highly qualified scientists and medics who assess risk then devise and target these national vaccination programmes, to be honest.

orbitalcrisis · 17/08/2022 16:38

Currently, getting covid offers about 4-6 weeks immunity, people are getting it over and over... Take whatever vaccines you're offered.

Original poster
Charlie14 · 17/08/2022 16:50

orbitalcrisis · 17/08/2022 16:38

Currently, getting covid offers about 4-6 weeks immunity, people are getting it over and over... Take whatever vaccines you're offered.

I just spoke to my gp and he said you have to wait six months to get your booster from the day you got your last booster.

OP posts:
acquiescence · 17/08/2022 18:58

Charlie14 · 17/08/2022 16:50

I just spoke to my gp and he said you have to wait six months to get your booster from the day you got your last booster.

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Your GP is incorrect. Your booster can be given is 91 days after your third dose. This advice is directly from the vaccination clinic.

passport123 · 17/08/2022 19:34

Charlie14 · 17/08/2022 16:50

I just spoke to my gp and he said you have to wait six months to get your booster from the day you got your last booster.

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That's out of date. 3m now.

mumager2 · 18/08/2022 12:52

I'm also pregnant and been offered the covid, flu jab etc and I've declined all. I have a 10 month old and when I was pregnant with him I felt really pressured to have the covid jabs and flu, I declined them all then aswell.

Never had the flu jab in my life and I've never had the flu.. declined all covid jabs and also never had covid.. despite not self isolating even when pregnan, I carried on as normal. Go figure 🤷🏻‍♀️

LittleBearPad · 18/08/2022 12:58

Of course you have them.

RebeccaCloud9 · 18/08/2022 15:34

Side note - I haven't been offered a 2nd booster! Has anyone else who is pregnant been offered this?

wonkylegs · 18/08/2022 15:47

I got flu when I was 19... it left me with lifelong chronic autoimmune disease and disability. That's the kind of side effect people don't think about when they 'get the flu' - it's not about feeling a bit lousy but the fact that it can cause real harm and even death.
You are more susceptible when pregnant (your immune system changes to allow you to host a baby) and your baby doesn't have any immune system yet - the jab protects you both. It's a well researched and well recommended jab for pregnant women as the risks of flu well out weigh those of the jab.
I am very supportive of vaccinations though as is my dr husband because not only the published evidence but also from seeing what happens when people get really I'll.

lisers · 18/08/2022 17:30

I have had the flu jab every year since 2001, including when pregnant.

It wouldn't be offered unless there was clear clinical evidence. If you fall into a higher risk group (I.e pregnant) you should have it.

Original poster
Charlie14 · 18/08/2022 19:10

RebeccaCloud9 · 18/08/2022 15:34

Side note - I haven't been offered a 2nd booster! Has anyone else who is pregnant been offered this?

Oh my gp offered it to me. Maybe call your gp and explain. X

OP posts:
custardbear · 18/08/2022 19:15

Have the jabs, my brother works in ITU and he gets loads of pregnant women with flu in the winter

Jaaxe · 18/08/2022 19:28

It would be wise to have it. I work in healthcare and so many people get admitted to icu with flu it’s really not worth the risk. I have it every year and have had it 3 times in preganany with no ill effects.

Also with covid booster jab, you should really think more about having that too. Covid in 3rd trimester especially can be very bad for pregnant women.

There is also the whooping cough one which is also recommended in pregnancy.

Speak to your GP though they’re best to answer your questions on all these jabs and to give you the right info and answer things that might be concerning you about having them. Nobody is going to force you to have them but they are highly recommended in pregnancy to avoid risks to you and the baby. As with everything they offer and all the advice they give in pregnancy to keep you and baby safe though it’s up to you whether you choose to follow it.

Original poster
Charlie14 · 19/08/2022 10:37

So I will be having covid and flu jab since speaking to my gp but will wait till 6 months from my 2nd booster. They said they do covid and flu jab at the same time..that scares me a little having two jabs together. But if that's what they advise.

OP posts:
LilliaJones · 19/08/2022 10:44

If you're looking for advice, take they advice from your GP and get the jab done.

Why wouldn't you?

LilliaJones · 19/08/2022 10:47

For what it's worth, I had flu about 5 years ago and my god it floored me. I was poorly for weeks in bed.
I can't imagine having it when pregnant!

I had no side effects either from the flu jab so I'd definitely recommend getting it. Not only for you but to protect your baby

And whooping cough is a must!