Preservative-Free Flu Shot in First Trimester

[fertilemyrtle]

Hey all,

I'm 7-8 weeks preggo with my first, and I definitely want to avoid the flu.   I come into contact with lots of people, and I think getting a flu shot is the best way to go for me, along with other common sense precautions.   I don't usually get sick, and I've never had the flu, but last week I picked up a cold, and I'm thinking it's because I'm more susceptible being pregnant.

I can get a preservative-free shot down the street - is the thimerosal the main thing people in the first trimester to get worried about with the flu vaccine?   I am also allergic to thimerosal, so when it's been applicable, I've avoided it in my adult life.

I was thinking about waiting until 2nd tri, but that's not until right around Xmas holidays, when I will be travelling to France.   I don't want to take international flights without having gotten the shot a few weeks before.

Thanks!

[lillymonster]

I honestly don't think they recommend the flu shot until after 14 weeks or 2nd trimester.  With my OB with my first pregnancy I was told I had to wait until then, so I don't know if they changed protocol. I skipped it this pregnancy because I had some nasty side effects from it, the one and only time I got the shot.

FWIW - I have not gotten sick at all this pregnancy, I am taking high doses of Vit D. Last pregnancy I didn't get sick until about 2 weeks after I got the flu shot, and then was sick for about 4 months.

[Ola_]

FWIW, I don't think they are preservative-free, just mercury-free.  I agree with the PP that I'd wait till after the first trimester, just to reduce the risk of it causing a miscarriage.

[WifeofAnt]

Originally Posted by Ola_ 

FWIW, I don't think they are preservative-free, just mercury-free.  I agree with the PP that I'd wait till after the first trimester, just to reduce the risk of it causing a miscarriage.

  They have to have some kind of preservative in them, they just don't use mercury.  I personally don't get the flu shot and supplement with vitamin D.  There seems to be way too many cases of people still ending up with the flu after getting the shot.  I've personally witnessed 4 cases of vaccinated people getting the flu (while the unvaccinated don't get it!).

[fertilemyrtle]

There's preservative-free and thimerosal-free.   It's actually what it's called.   Preservative-free is vaccine that is originally treated with thimerosal (and other preservatives) to make it sterile, and then all but a small fraction is removed in a purification process.   There is the smallest amount left, but in essence it is preservative-free, and I've not had a reaction to these in the past.   Thimerosal-free means thimerosal was never used, not even in the beginning - other preservatives were though.  

I think I'm going to go for it.  The protocols have changed and I haven't seen anything that says it causes miscarriage in the first tri.    My worry is a baby with developmental delays as a result, but I think that would come from an intense reaction on my end (being allergic to thimerosal), and mercury getting to the growing baby. 

I also am considering upping my Vitamin D.   For the past year, I've been taking about 1500 (whatever units mgs?)  a day.   I'm considering going to 4000.  

[pregnant@40]

 As for timing, remember that flu season hits geographical regions at different times; they can differ by several months. So timing needs to be optimal for protection. If there is a travel clinic in your area, that's your best place to seek a flu vaccine. And yes, if a clinic does not have thimerosol free, you can request the pediatric and/or non-multidose vial. I've refused the preservative myself for a prior pregnancy, and this time Walgreens actually gave me the thimerosol free version automatically.

[pregnant@40]

 As for 4000 IU vitamin D, I've read a recent research paper that recommends this dose for pregnant women:

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/05/100501013417.htm