A New Study Determined That Pregnant Women Who Have A Flu Shot During Flu Season Have A 40% Lesser Chance Of Delivering A Preterm Baby Or Having A Low Birth Weight Baby Than Women Who Skip The Flu Shot.
A new study determined that pregnant women who have a flu shot during flu season have a 40% lesser chance of delivering a preterm baby or having a low birth weight baby than women who skip the flu shot.
A new study determined that pregnant women who have a flu shot during flu season have a 40% lesser chance of delivering a preterm baby or having a low birth weight baby than women who skip the flu shot. The reason is simple and makes total sense:
[R]espiratory infections during pregnancy, such as influenza and influenza-related pneumonia, are associated with an increased risk of premature birth and low birth weight. Vaccination with a flu vaccine during pregnancy protects the mother and the infant from the most common viruses that cause influenza.The researchers reviewed the records of over 4,000 pregnant women who had babies between 2004 and 2006. Not only was the risk of having a preterm baby 40% lower for women who received the flu shot, but that number increased greatly during flu outbreaks - up to 70%. In the absence of compelling reasons not to vaccinate, many doctors recommend their pregnant patients have a flu shot. The CDC reports:
Case reports and limited studies indicate that pregnancy can increase the risk for serious medical complications of influenza. One study found that out of every 10,000 women in their third trimester of pregnancy during an average flu season, 25 will be hospitalized for flu related complications. Additionally, influenza-associated excess deaths among pregnant women have been documented during influenza pandemics.How do you feel about having a flu vaccine during pregnancy? If you were on the fence, would knowing it could lower your chance of a preterm birth influence your decision?