Is a Flu Shot Safe at 11 Weeks Pregnant???

No, it is not safe! Please research this more. Read the website www.drtenpenny.com. I am a former NICU Respiratory Therapist and I have never gotten the flu shot nor have I given it to my three children.

Lisa

Yes! I have gotten them with both my pregnancies, and everyone in my family gets them as well.

Those who get the sickest are infants and the elderly, and with H1N1 (which is covered in this season's flu shot), pregnant women have been dying in much higher numbers than in previous flus. About 36,000 Americans per year die of the flu.

Here are some more facts:

1. There are two different kinds of flu shots this year. One contains preservatives such as trace elements of Thimerosal (organic mercury), and one does not. Both contain inactive viruses that protect against this season's flu as well as H1N1. After doing some very brief research, I found several drugstores that had the non-thimerosal version of the shot in my city.

2. The flu shot is extremely effective in preventing the flu strain for which it was designed to prevent; however, the seasonal flu shot is a prediction. There may be more than one flu strain going around in a given year, or the shot may not protect against a dominant flu strain in a given year. Therefore, you are about 75% less likely to get any given flu during the year when you get a flu shot. This is also why people say, "I got the flu shot, but got sick anyway. I'm never getting the shot again!!" To me, even if the flu shot is not effective 25% of the time, it's still worth getting the shot because being 75% less likely to be laid up on my back for a week is a pretty good deal.

3. Getting a flu shot for yourself will help protect your baby because you can pass on those antibodies through your placenta. To get the most protection for your baby, however, you may want to encourage everyone in your household to get the shot.

4. The flu shot, in various forms, has been available to people for decades. It is well proved.

Additionally, please trust reliable websites when it comes to deciding about receiving a flu shot. There are many, many conspiracy theory websites, and websites that are poorly sourced that may seem credible but are totally worthless. Here is a website about the flu shot that is written by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control:

http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/qa/flushot.htm#whatare

It has information about flu shot risks, as well as who should and should not receive a flu shot.

Personally, I wouldn't do it, not while pregnant.

I am glad you got your flu shot. I got mine while 8 weeks pregnant last year. My son is fantastic and healthy! Bonus: not only do you immunize yourself but you immunize your unborn child for the first 6 months of their life when you get the flu shot while pregnant. By the time they are 6 months old they can get the shot themselves. Good job at protecting yourself, your baby and your community.

A flu shot is safer than getting a full blown case of the flu itself.

The flu shot is safe. The flu is not safe. The flu stinks, and thousands of people die in the United States from flu every year. You don't want to be one of them. Glad you got your shot!

M.

Yes it is absolutely safe and in my opinion necessary, a good percentage of the people hospitalized last flu season were pregnant women. Plus I read that since your baby is born with your antibodies, they are more protected from the virus themselves since they can't be vaccinated until 6 months... I got the flu shot when I was 6 months pregnant and my cousin got hers when she was 10 weeks, and is now 32 weeks and is getting it again for this flu season....so be aware you may have to get it again depending on your due date..... Here's a link that you may find helpful:

http://www.babycenter.com/404_is-it-safe-to-get-a-flu-sho...

Not only is it safe, it is recommended for all pregnant women by the CDC. I had my flu shot about a month ago, at 12 or 13 weeks pregnant and I had absolutely no problems.

I am glad you got your flu shot.

Definitely talk to your Ob/Gyn, but flu shots are safe. When I was pregnant, my doctor very strongly recommended me getting the shot while carring my baby and I didn't have any problems, other than a sore arm. (They recommend the shot, not the nasal spray.)

Here's a link to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN on the topic: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/influenza/AN00651

Also, another link from the March of Dimes: http://www.marchofdimes.com/pnhec/159_16189.asp

Hope this helps!

I don't know how safe it is, try asking your MD - beyond that, I can assure you that getting the flu later in your pregnancy cannot be healthy for either you or the baby

Yes the flu shot is safe and recommended. I had one with my first daughter, when I was about 12 weeks pregnant -she was born perfectly healthy. And I just had my flu shot and I am 18 weeks pregnant with my second baby. Definitely recommended.

I normally get the flu shot and have gotten through 2 previous pregnancies.

However this year the seasonal flu shot also contains the H1N1 vaccine which I am suspicious of, and had in January. So I opted out. If I could have gotten it without the H1N1 I would have gotten it.

It absolutely is - you'll be keeping yourself and your baby safe.