Flu shot?

[mel_rak]

Hi all, I am just about 20 weeks pregnant. Has anyone gone to a clinic or drug store to get a flu shot while pregnant? I do not have a doctor here yet, just an OB. I am thinking it is safe to get while pregnant and called the nurse to see what she has to say. Just curious what all of you do about the flu shot and when in pregnancy you get it? Is it better to get now or wait till November??? Just curious....

thanks

[JBaxter]

I dont get them due to the mercury ( thimersol) in them. You may want to read up on whats in them before getting one. They do may preservative free but they are hard to find in some states.

I havent heard if this years is going to be effective or not. Last year they were totally worthless.

I will take my chances with "maybe" getting the flu vs KNOWINGLY injecting mercury contining preservatives into my body when Im growing my little one.

[kerikadi]

Do a search, you will find many posts about the flu shot.

It is not something I would EVER do especially while pregnant.

[kohlby]

It depends on your risk factor. I do not think that all, or even most, pregnant women should get them. But there are some people who are in a much higher risk category than others. If you don't need to get a flu shot due to high risk when not pg, then you likely don't need to get one when pg. I am high risk for the flu devoping into bronchitis due to respiratory problems. I have had the shot at least 10 years and only skipped one year. That year, I ended up with awful bronchitis for two months. Anything medical is about benifits vs risks. There are some people who should get the flu shot. But I don't agree with the blanket recommendation of all pg women getting it.

The store clinics I've been to will not let pg women get them in the past, though after first trimester, pretty much any drs office will do them here. So call ahead if you decide to do the shot.

[nukedwifey]

There was a post earlier this week about this.

http://www.mothering.com/discussions...d.php?t=981436

I don't think anything new will really be said.

I would never get one pregnant or not. I don't like injecting Mercury into my system.

[tak]

I'm not going to get into the debate about thimersol beyond saying that based on talking to my doctor, close friends who are doctors, my pharmacist and doctors who are also mothers, I believe the flu shot is safe for everyone and I will be getting a shot this year. Two years ago I had a flu from hell after not getting a shot and I wouldn't wish that on anyone. A bad flu is a serious illness, and since I will be pregnant and visiting with my 94 year old grandmother over the winter I will not take the chance of passing on a potentially fatal illness.

[Katerz2u]

I had my OB try to force me into one just yesterday. The nurse came in with a syringe and tray and said "I have your flu shot!" I told her no thanks, waited for them to pick their jaws off the floor and the doctor basically panicked. She told me I had to have one, etc etc. I repeated "no thanks" and she told me she would get me on Monday.
Anyways, no way in heck would I do a flu shot..especially while pregnant.

[superflippy]

They don't put mercury in flu shots in my state. And in most states, haven't for years.

I got one. I am feeling ill enough as it is and really want to avoid getting sicker if I can help it.

[JBaxter]

Originally Posted by superflippy

They don't put mercury in flu shots in my state. And in most states, haven't for years.

I got one. I am feeling ill enough as it is and really want to avoid getting sicker if I can help it.

you should check again ... adult versions DO contain the preservative Thimersol which had 25mcg of mercury. You need to specifically request one as an adult without. Check what brand you got you may be very suprised

The ONLY flu vaccines that does not contain ANY mercury are
Mercury free flu vaccines

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Fluzone single dose vial or prefilled syringe (ages 6 months and over)
Flumist live intranasal spray (ages 2 – 49)
Afluria single dose vial (ages 18 and over)


All others contain anywhere between 1mcg and 25mcg. FluMist is not given to pregnant women but I added it anywyay

[DeannaK]

Never had one before I was pregnant and won't be getting one now.

[javilu]

I will be getting a flu shot because I have respiratory issues, but I will be getting my shot from my OB's office. I don't have a regular doctor. In my state, pregnant women are among the groups given a mercury-free shot (I will, of course, double and triple check that at the office, too), but depending on where you live, you might have to ask for that to be ordered for you.

[teachma]

I recently knew a 3 year old boy who was devastatingly affected by his flu shot. Made me glad I had never given one to my children or taken one myself. I would definitely not take one while pregnant; if the shot can negatively affect a small child, I think it can definitely do the same to a developing baby. If I had health/immunity issues that made the benefits more influential than the risks, it would be a different circumstance.

[alegna]

Originally Posted by kerikadi

Do a search, you will find many posts about the flu shot.

It is not something I would EVER do especially while pregnant.

This.

Great opportunity to research vaccines of all types.

-Angela

[KD's Momma]

as most pp have said, I would not get one preg or not. Also as pp have said there is only one flu shot that doesn't have mercury and comes in a single dose vile only.

[Kleine Hexe]

IMO, flu shots are a waste of time for otherwise healthy adults and children. So, no thanks.

[dogmom327]

I would not consent to any injection while pregnant unless it was a life or death matter. It's simply too risky.

[kitkatsmama]

Just a thought for people who choose the shot because they are "at risk". The flu shot is effective for the most virulent strain from the previous yea. That doesn't mean it will work on this year's strain. I prefer to spend my efforts and money on immune boosters like echinachea, elderberry, garlic, vitamin c...

[jenniferlynne]

As someone who got the flu while pregnant and had it turn into a horrible case of pneumonia, I would do it. But that's just me...

[javilu]

Well, I can focus on strengthening my immune system through those natural means *and* still get the flu shot. It's not necessarily one or the other. As a person with asthma who has had the flu turn into much worse personally, I'm going to get a flu shot and work on being strong and healthy, as I always do.

[MCatLvrMom2A&X]

You may find this information very helpful. Link Please read this thread before getting a flu shot.




Fluzone http://www.fda.gov/CBER/label/fluzoneLB.pdf Single dose preservative free

1)
Prefilled syringe, 0.25 mL, no preservative, pediatric dose, for 6 through 35 months of age, distinguished by a pink syringe plunger rod;
2)
Prefilled syringe, 0.5 mL, no preservative, for 36 months of age and older;
3)
Single-dose vial, 0.5 mL, no preservative, for 36 months of age and older;
There is no thimerosal used in the manufacturing process of the No Preservative single-dose presentations of Fluzone vaccine.

Afluria http://www.afluria.com/docs/pi.pdf

• 0.5 mL preservative-free, single-dose, pre-filled syringe.
The single-dose formulation is preservative-free; thimerosal, a mercury derivative,is not used in the manufacturing process for this formulation.

That is good to know for those that insist on getting the flu shot at least make sure it is one of these 2 brands. Although there are other nasties used in the manufacturing process.[/QUOTE]