WOMENS-HEALTH Messages for October, 1999: Re: pregancy and Flu shot

Re: pregancy and Flu shot

From: Patti Tessler, FNP (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Sat, 30 Oct 1999 14:53:11 -0500 (CDT)

Messages sorted by: [ date ][ thread ][ subject ][ author ]
Next message: Patti Tessler, FNP: "Re: spinal tap"
Previous message: SONNENSTUHL: "Re: weight loss after pregnancy"
In reply to: Harvey S. Marchbein, M.D.: "Re: Looking for a second opinion from a Dr."

At Fri, 29 Oct 1999, Michelle wrote: >
>I am 24 weeks preg, hypo thyroid ( taking Armour Thryoid), 2nd pregnancy.
>All else is in normal limits. I just saw a new OB yesterday- she just
>joined the practice just from residency- She pushed the idea of a flu shot,
>she thought I should definately get one. My insurance covers it- through my
>primary dr. Today I went to get the shot and my primary dr said he was VERY
>VERY uncomfortable with me getting the shot. He was not clear as to if this
>is safe or not with the pregnancy. ( side note: I get them every year when
>I am not pregnant) I decided to wait until I could ask my normal OB if it
>would be safe or not. I can't get with her until Wednesday next week.
>I would just like some opinions from another experienced OB if it is safe or
>not worth the chance.

The CDC recommends that women in their 2nd and 3rd trimesters get the flu shot. The reason is that pregnant women are more likely than others to have complications from the flu, such as pneumonia. For women who are in high risk groups and who would normally be advised to have the flu shot, the recommendation is to have the flu shot at any time in pregnancy. I had my flu shot this year, in my second trimester, as I do every year. My primary care provider, too, was hesitant, but relaxed when I pointed out the CDC guidelines to him. Of course, if there are other reasons not to get the flu shot (for example, allergy to the immunization or its components), one should avoid it.

For more information on the CDC guidelines for flu immunization, see http://www.immunize.org/vis/2flu.pdf. If you can't access it there for some reason, you can visit http://www.immunize.org/, scroll down to almost-the-bottom, and click the link found on the far right to the latest flu Vaccine Information Sheet.

--
Patti Tessler, BSN, MSN, RN, CS
Family Nurse Practitioner

Next message: Patti Tessler, FNP: "Re: spinal tap"
Previous message: SONNENSTUHL: "Re: weight loss after pregnancy"
In reply to: Harvey S. Marchbein, M.D.: "Re: Looking for a second opinion from a Dr."

use when must restrict search to only the women's health forum...
Enter search keywords:
	Returns per screen: Require all keywords: