Pregnant women can now receive Celvapan

[mommymeggie]

Good news for those who have been trying to be vaccinated with Celvapan instead of the Pandemrix. This link is from the Department of Health. It is a letter sent out by the National Director of NHS Flu Resilience, Department of Health. He says that Pandemrix does not pose a risk to pregnant women or their babies. HOWEVER, as it is better to be vaccinated than not at all, if a pregnant women does not wish to receive Pandemrix, PCTs should ensure that there are arrangements in place for her to receive the Celvapan, and that GPs are aware of this.

Here is the link-
here

I would print it out and take it to your GP requesting the Celvapan or call your local Primary Care Trust and present them with this paper if they are not aware of it.

I would also like to add that I have received my first dose of Celvapan today and have had no problems as of yet except for an ache in my arm ( which has already gone away.) I'm 32wks pregnant.

Just rang my GPs to see if they would give me Celvepan now and they've booked me in for tomorrow morning! No getting out of it now!

Thought I'd give everyone an update on what my local surgery said..... The nurse has been advised by the Doctor NOT to give Pandemrix until he gets further advice from the PCT. So even if I wanted it I have to wait until the Dr is happy giving it!

I asked for Celvepan and they said no problem, there is just one clinic offering it and I've made an appointment for this Friday. This does sort of cement my decision about Pandemrix.....if my surgery aren't happy giving it to pregnant women, I'm not happy taking it!

Pagan - I would be really interested in knowing what fact based evidence that you have that there is a problem with Pandemrix for pregnant women.

Please enlighten the thousands of pregnant women who have already have this vaccination as you seem to have information that the WHO and the NHS don't seem to have - if you have unearthed some sort of scandal then please share.

Otherwise, please keep these sorts of comments to yourself. I am delighted for all those women that have managed to have Celvapan because they feel more comfortable with this vaccine - however, the decision to offer Celvapan does not mean that Pandemrix isn't safe. There could be issues down the line with any of these vaccines and the point of this forum is to be supportive - not to try and make other people feel bad regarding their choices.

lumpasmelly - I'm in full agreement with what you say. If there was no option, I'd be taking Pandemrix. I was surpised when hearing from the nurse that they were not currently offering Pandemrix to pregnant ladies - but she also said, the whole thing has been a complete shambles from day 1 and not very well handled which is more of an explanation of things! she said that, no doubt they'll be offering Pandemrix again soon.