The Philly Inquirer had an article about new studies showing positive outcomes for babies whose moms got a flu shot while pregnant. The article, of course, includes a fun quote from Paul Offit about how "terribly dangerous" it is for parents to not get vaccinated and not have kids vaccinated.
http://www.philly.com/inquirer/world_us/67472417.html
Anyway, I wanted to respond to some points in the article. I've never written a Letter to the Editor before. I'd appreciate feedback/critique/suggestions:
Re. the article “Studies Back flu Shots for the Pregnant”, there is no doubt that any pregnant woman would like to do all that she could to avoid having a premature birth, an underweight baby, or a baby who requires hospitalization for respiratory illnesses – not to mention preventing maternal death. The researchers who conducted these new studies should be congratulated for exploring the impact of the influenza vaccine on unborn children.
That said, it would be naïve to think that the only impact a drug could have on an unborn child would be seen in the first few years of that child's life, or only in very obvious ways, such as prematurity of birth. While Bruce Gellin is quoted as saying that the H1N1 vaccine, like the seasonal flu vaccine, is made “with every test and every safety precaution,” the manufacturers of both seasonal and H1N1 flu vaccines clearly state on the package inserts that these vaccines have not been tested for carcinogenic or mutagenic (i.e. causing birth defects) potential. In the 1940's-1970's many women were prescribed DES, or ingested DES via prenatal vitamins, because this drug was thought to prevent premature births. It was only after the daughters of these women tried having children themselves that it came to light that exposure to DES in the womb could cause infertility years later. DES has also been linked to other medical problems, including a particular form of cancer. It stands to reason, as Neil Fishman admitted in the article, that pregnant women would be wary of being injected with a vaccine for which information regarding long-term impact is missing.
Anecdotally, when I was pregnant with my son in 2007-2008, I was also swimming in germs every day as a kindergarten teacher. I chose not to receive the seasonal flu shot. I did not get the flu. My son was born on his due date and was a whopping 9 lbs. 7 oz. - a surprise to everyone given that I am not a large person.
ETA: The current word count is 339 and I need to limit it to 200. Not sure what to edit out.
http://www.philly.com/inquirer/world_us/67472417.html
Anyway, I wanted to respond to some points in the article. I've never written a Letter to the Editor before. I'd appreciate feedback/critique/suggestions:
Re. the article “Studies Back flu Shots for the Pregnant”, there is no doubt that any pregnant woman would like to do all that she could to avoid having a premature birth, an underweight baby, or a baby who requires hospitalization for respiratory illnesses – not to mention preventing maternal death. The researchers who conducted these new studies should be congratulated for exploring the impact of the influenza vaccine on unborn children.
That said, it would be naïve to think that the only impact a drug could have on an unborn child would be seen in the first few years of that child's life, or only in very obvious ways, such as prematurity of birth. While Bruce Gellin is quoted as saying that the H1N1 vaccine, like the seasonal flu vaccine, is made “with every test and every safety precaution,” the manufacturers of both seasonal and H1N1 flu vaccines clearly state on the package inserts that these vaccines have not been tested for carcinogenic or mutagenic (i.e. causing birth defects) potential. In the 1940's-1970's many women were prescribed DES, or ingested DES via prenatal vitamins, because this drug was thought to prevent premature births. It was only after the daughters of these women tried having children themselves that it came to light that exposure to DES in the womb could cause infertility years later. DES has also been linked to other medical problems, including a particular form of cancer. It stands to reason, as Neil Fishman admitted in the article, that pregnant women would be wary of being injected with a vaccine for which information regarding long-term impact is missing.
Anecdotally, when I was pregnant with my son in 2007-2008, I was also swimming in germs every day as a kindergarten teacher. I chose not to receive the seasonal flu shot. I did not get the flu. My son was born on his due date and was a whopping 9 lbs. 7 oz. - a surprise to everyone given that I am not a large person.
ETA: The current word count is 339 and I need to limit it to 200. Not sure what to edit out.
I emailed our local AM radio host on Wednesday about the ingredients of the H1N1 vaccine and he read it on the radio (and called me a good mom for researching vaccines!). I was so proud. 
