Madison Clarke
Pregnant women are advised to get injectable influenza vaccines (shots) instead of the nasal spray influenza vaccine. The CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommend that all adults receive an annual influenza vaccine. According to the CDC, flu shots have been administered to millions of pregnant women over the years with an excellent safety record. However, a previous severe allergic reaction to an influenza vaccine is a contraindication to future vaccinations.
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What You'll Learn
- Injectable influenza vaccines are safe for pregnant women and their babies
- Pregnant women should not get the nasal spray influenza vaccine
- Thimerosal in the influenza vaccine is not unsafe for pregnant women
- Pregnant women with egg allergies may get any flu shot appropriate for their age
- Influenza during pregnancy can cause hospitalisation and harm to the baby
Injectable influenza vaccines are safe for pregnant women and their babies
Influenza vaccines are safe for pregnant women and their babies. The CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommend that all adults receive an annual influenza vaccine. This includes pregnant women, who are advised to receive an injectable influenza vaccine (flu shot) and not a nasal spray influenza vaccine.
Pregnant women are at an increased risk of serious medical complications from influenza, which can also be harmful to the developing baby. A common influenza symptom, fever, has been associated with neural tube defects and other adverse outcomes for a developing baby. Getting vaccinated while pregnant can help protect both the mother and the baby from influenza. Antibodies are passed to the baby in the womb, and through breast milk, which can help protect the baby from influenza after birth, when they are too young to be vaccinated.
Flu shots have been given to millions of pregnant women over many years with an excellent safety record. There is a large body of scientific studies that support the safety of flu vaccines for pregnant women and their babies. Multiple studies, including clinical trials and observational studies, and data from safety reporting systems, have consistently demonstrated the safety of influenza vaccination during pregnancy. For example, a 2013 study showed that during the 2010–2011 and 2011–2012 influenza seasons, vaccination reduced the risk of influenza during pregnancy by up to 50%. A 2018 study showed that getting a flu shot during pregnancy reduced the risk of hospitalization with influenza by an average of 40%.
The CDC's Vaccine Safety Datalink (VSD) project conducted one of the largest studies examining influenza vaccination and the risk of miscarriage. The study covered three influenza seasons (2012–2013, 2013–2014, and 2014–2015) and found no increased risk of miscarriage associated with influenza vaccination during pregnancy. This study was a follow-up to a smaller study that suggested a possible link between vaccination and miscarriage, but the more recent, larger study showed that influenza vaccination was safe for pregnant women and their unborn babies. Another study in the VSD examined the risk of stillbirths among pregnant women who received an influenza vaccine and found no increased risk.
It is important to note that anyone with a severe, life-threatening allergy to any of the vaccine ingredients should not get the flu shot. Pregnant women with egg allergies of any severity may get any flu shot (egg-based or non-egg-based) that is otherwise appropriate for their age and health status.
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Pregnant women should not get the nasal spray influenza vaccine
The CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommend that all adults receive an annual influenza vaccine. If you are pregnant during flu season, you should receive an inactivated influenza vaccine as soon as it is available. Influenza vaccines can be given during any trimester of pregnancy, and early vaccination during the third trimester can provide protection for the infant during their first few months of life.
It is important to note that influenza during pregnancy is more likely to cause illness that results in hospitalization and may be harmful to the developing baby. A common influenza sign is fever, which has been associated with neural tube defects and other adverse outcomes for the baby. Getting vaccinated while pregnant can help protect the baby from influenza after birth, as antibodies are passed to the baby during pregnancy and through breast milk.
Pregnant women with egg allergies of any severity may still get a flu shot egg-based or non-egg-based that is appropriate for their age and health status. However, those with severe, life-threatening allergies to any vaccine ingredients should not get the vaccine. Additionally, individuals who have had a severe allergic reaction to a previous dose of an influenza vaccine should generally not receive the vaccine again, depending on the type that caused the reaction.
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Thimerosal in the influenza vaccine is not unsafe for pregnant women
Pregnant women are at a higher risk of serious complications from influenza, including ICU admission, preterm delivery, and maternal death. Hence, it is recommended that all pregnant women receive an annual influenza vaccine. Thimerosal, a preservative used in vaccines since the 1930s to prevent contamination in multidose vaccine vials, has been the subject of controversy, with some claiming it is unsafe for pregnant women. However, numerous studies have found no link between thimerosal and developmental delays or other adverse events in children born to women who received influenza vaccines containing thimerosal during pregnancy.
Thimerosal has been the target of anti-vaccine groups, who claim it is a toxic, potent neurotoxin and carcinogen. Despite these claims, scientific studies have consistently found no causal relationship between thimerosal and autism or other developmental issues. The CDC and the American Academy of Pediatrics asked manufacturers to remove thimerosal from vaccines in 1999, not because it was proven unsafe, but to increase public confidence in vaccines.
While thimerosal is still used in a small fraction of influenza vaccine vials, specifically multi-dose vials, the CDC and FDA have not mandated its removal due to a lack of scientific evidence of harm. The CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) has recommended that Americans receive single-dose flu shots that do not contain thimerosal. However, this is primarily to address concerns about the preservative and increase vaccine accessibility, as multi-dose vials containing thimerosal are less expensive and more widely available in some parts of the US and other countries.
In summary, thimerosal in influenza vaccines has not been proven unsafe for pregnant women. While it has been a controversial topic, the weight of scientific evidence suggests that it does not cause developmental delays or other adverse effects in children born to vaccinated women. The CDC and FDA continue to monitor and evaluate the safety of vaccines, including those containing thimerosal, to ensure the protection of public health.
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Pregnant women with egg allergies may get any flu shot appropriate for their age
Pregnant women are advised to get a flu shot to protect themselves and their babies from the flu. Influenza during pregnancy can cause severe illness that may require hospitalization and may also harm the developing baby. Thus, it is recommended that pregnant women get a flu shot, which has been proven safe for both the mother and the baby.
Flu shots have been given to millions of people over the years, including pregnant women, with an excellent safety record. There is a large body of scientific studies that support the safety of flu vaccines for pregnant women. The CDC, for instance, continues to gather data on flu vaccine safety during pregnancy each flu season using the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS). A review of reports to the VAERS found no evidence of a link between pregnancy complications or adverse fetal outcomes among pregnant women and flu shots.
Similarly, a large study using VAERS data from three flu seasons (2012-13, 2013-14, and 2014-15) found no increased risk of spontaneous abortion (miscarriage) after flu vaccination during pregnancy. Another study using VAERS data from the 2005-06 and 2006-07 seasons also found no increased risk of miscarriage during pregnancy after receiving a flu vaccine. An August 2017 study also found that the babies of women who received the flu shot during their first trimester did not have an increased risk of having children with major birth defects.
Despite the safety of flu shots for pregnant women, concerns have been raised about the potential impact of egg allergies on vaccine safety. This is because most flu vaccines are produced using an egg-based manufacturing process and may contain a small amount of egg protein. However, beginning with the 2023-2024 flu season, additional safety measures are no longer recommended for people with egg allergies. Pregnant women with egg allergies of any severity may receive any flu vaccine (egg-based or non-egg-based) that is appropriate for their age and health status.
It is important to note that severe allergic reactions to vaccines are rare but can occur in rare cases. Thus, it is recommended that all vaccines, including flu shots, be administered in settings where personnel and equipment are available for the rapid recognition and treatment of allergic reactions. Pregnant women with egg allergies should ensure that their healthcare provider is aware of their allergy and is prepared to manage any potential allergic reactions.
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Influenza during pregnancy can cause hospitalisation and harm to the baby
Influenza during pregnancy can have severe consequences, including hospitalisation and harm to the baby. Pregnant women are more susceptible to the flu due to their weakened immune system, and their bodies are already under stress as the heart and lungs work harder to support both mother and child. This stress increases the likelihood of flu-related complications, which may necessitate hospitalisation.
The flu itself is a highly contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses infecting the nose, throat, and lungs. It is spread through the air via coughing, sneezing, or speaking, and it can also be transmitted by touching surfaces contaminated with the virus. During pregnancy, the flu can lead to serious illness requiring hospitalisation. This is because the body is already under stress, and the lungs are working harder due to the growing foetus putting pressure on them.
The flu can be particularly harmful to the developing baby. Fever, a common flu symptom, has been associated with neural tube defects and other adverse outcomes for the foetus. Studies have also shown that the flu during pregnancy increases the risk of miscarriage, premature birth, and low birth weight. Therefore, it is crucial for pregnant women to take preventive measures, such as getting the flu shot, to protect themselves and their babies from the flu and its potential complications.
The flu shot has been proven safe for pregnant women and their babies and is recommended during any trimester of pregnancy. It helps protect against flu and flu-related hospitalisations, reducing the risk of serious complications. Additionally, the antibodies produced by the vaccine are passed on to the developing baby, offering protection during the first few months of life when they are too young to be vaccinated. Pregnant women should also follow general flu prevention practices, such as avoiding close contact with sick individuals, practising good hand hygiene, and covering coughs and sneezes.
While influenza during pregnancy can pose risks, it is important to note that with early diagnosis and treatment, many pregnant women can recover from the flu without complications. Pregnancy-safe treatments are available to reduce symptoms and shorten the illness duration. However, it is always advisable to seek prompt medical attention if flu symptoms arise during pregnancy to ensure the best outcome for both mother and child.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, injectable influenza vaccines are safe for pregnant women. The CDC and ACIP recommend influenza vaccination during any trimester of pregnancy. There is a large body of scientific studies that support the safety of flu vaccines for pregnant women and their babies.
Pregnant women with egg allergies may still get any flu shot (egg-based or non-egg-based) that is otherwise appropriate for their age and health status. Women who have had a severe allergic reaction to a previous dose of an influenza vaccine should not get vaccinated.
Yes, numerous studies, clinical trials, and data from safety reporting systems have consistently demonstrated the safety of influenza vaccination during pregnancy. A 2018 study showed that getting an influenza shot during pregnancy reduced the risk of being hospitalized with influenza by an average of 40%.
Pregnant women should not get the nasal spray influenza vaccine. They should receive an injectable influenza vaccine (shot) instead.
