Why can we have the Swine Flu Jab but not the Normal Flu Jab

[jaynel]

I'm sorry to start ANOTHER swine flu thread, but i'm really worried for my unborn and my dd, we are both due to have it next week, she is 11 and has mild Asthma, i work in a walk in centre and get a lot of people in with swine flu symptoms, although we can not see them and i'm protected from a screen i'm really concerned about getting Swine Flu but on the other hand i'm scared of having the jab and risking my unborn to all sorts, whilst in the womb and after birth. perhaps im being nieave but as this is very new i don't know what to do, and i don't think i can make a desision within a week. When i spoke to the nurses about it at work, they said its my desision. But why wasn't we offered/allowed the normal flu jab, what's the difference in the jabs, i was told we are being gineau pigs and there are lots of horrible things in the vaccine. Also my dd is quite healthy and only suffers with asthma when she has a cold, which at the mo is a lot i know i'm being a pain but as much advice as poss would be great, many thanks

16 weeks and 5 days. Asthmatic and type 1 diabetic. Work in a high risk environment. Recommended by my own obstetrician and family friend who is head of obstetrics to have both seasonal and swine flu vaccines. Seasonal one down, swine flu one to go...

can you have the swine flu jab in the UK in the 1st trimester? I am only 6 weeks pregnant and here in Portugal they will only give it to me in my 2nd trimester. Am a bit worried as have to fly back to the UK in December for a wedding and wont have been vaccinated and dont want to catch it on the plane. Am I less at risk from complications in my 1st trimester? Is really frustrating as normally would be boosting my immune system with lots of Vit. C, Zinc and Echinacea but cant take any of them!

I got a call from my GP today for normal flu jab (as asthmatic) I've never had it before (as i only get asthma when I get a bad cold makes me cough so much I am sick!)

I asked about the SF jab my surgery the receptionist said they haven't got it yet, she couldn't tell me and didn't offer any help/for me to speak to someone i could ask about the jabs etc....

I have a consultants appointment at 17 weeks (currently 14 weeks) so I plan to ask the consultant.

Consultants appointment is cos I had SUV last pregnancy and a tramatic birth!

elizap you can have swine flu jab at any stage of pregnancy in the UK, but I would be wary of having it before 12 weeks myself.
Yes you are statistically at less risk of developing complications from SF in your 1st trimester

Don't know if this helps but I'm in my 3rd trimester & have had both the seasonal flu jab & swine flu jab done last week. I've had no side affects. Both were offered to me as I'm asthmatic & have complications so in high risk sector. I was assured that both are completely safe to take in pregnancy.
For me it wasn't an option I felt that I was protecting both myself & my baby from a far greater risk of getting the flu.
If you have complications then its necessary if not up to you would be my view.

Elizap, if you are planning to travel to the UK while not covered by the vaccine you could wear a mask on the plane/tube/train/crowded places, wash your hands frequently with soap and water, carry alcohol-based hand gel and generally avoid places where you would be close to many others. I have been recommended these steps by family friend who is head of infective diseases at a university outside the UK back in June, when I too was in the first trimester and had to travel back to the UK before the vaccine became available.

The mask needs to be a N95-standard respirator (which is what is used in hospitals by doctors dealing with swine flu patients; easy to get on ebay, about £2), not a plain surgical mask, which would be of v little/no help, and the hand gel needs to be alcohol-based, not one of the many marked "antibacterial" (aside from anything else, the flu is caused by a virus).

Also, it sounds obvious, but avoid kissing people when seeing them, if at all possible- particularly those who look sniffly...

Enjoy the wedding!