What to know about influenza vaccination during pregnancy

The article was consulted professionally by Specialist Doctor II Nguyen Thi Minh Tuyet – Head of Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Share99 Central Park International Health Hub.

Women before pregnancy should be given priority influenza vaccination to protect the health of both mother and child. However, in Vietnam, influenza vaccination during pregnancy has not been focused on pregnant mothers.

1. The importance of influenza vaccination during pregnancy

The flu not only manifests itself in the common cold, but it also occurs suddenly accompanied by many other symptoms, including fever, headache, fatigue, muscle pain, cough and sore throat. Influenza is likely to lead to various complications, such as pneumonia.

Some complications of influenza can be life-threatening, affecting the health of mothers and babies during pregnancy. Therefore, influenza vaccination during pregnancy is essential for everyone who is about to become a mother.

2. High-risk subjects with complications from influenza

Some of the following groups of subjects with influenza are more likely to have dangerous complications:

  • Elderly (65 years and older)
  • Children under 5 years old
  • People with diseases such as asthma,heart disease or cancer
  • Pregnant women.

Pregnant mothers with influenza can affect their children. Therefore, before deciding to have children, women should get flu vaccinations to prevent the disease from occurring.

3. Why does pregnancy increase the risk of complications from influenza?

During pregnancy, the immune system often appears various changes. This is a normal body's biomedy but can increase the risk of complications from influenza.

Besides, you also have a higher risk of experiencing pregnancy complications with influenza, such as premature labor and premature birth. There is a high likelihood that the pregnant mother will be hospitalized for treatment if she has the flu during pregnancy. At that time, the risk of death from influenza also increased. To limit this situation, you should go to medical centers to get a flu vaccination during pregnancy.

4. What month should a pregnant woman get a flu vaccine?

The CDC Centers for Disease Control and Prevention encourages everyone 6 months of age and older, including pregnant women and breastfeeding women, to get vaccinated against influenza annually. Influenza vaccination during pregnancy is best done early before the flu season (from October to May of the following year) and as soon as the source of the vaccine is available.

However, you can completely get the flu shot at any time during pregnancy. If you are not vaccinated early before the flu season, you can still get vaccinated during and after the epidemic season. In case of suffering from another pathology that adds to the risk of flu complications, such as asthma or heart disease, pregnant mothers should consider getting a flu vaccination before the epidemic season begins.

thong-tin-can-biet-ve-tiem-vac-xin-cum-when-pregnant-pregnant-1

Women are more susceptible to flu during pregnancy

5. Mechanism of action of influenza vaccine

The flu vaccine will activate your immune system to produce antibodies against the influenza virus. These antibodies do not lose but circulating in the blood. If influenza viruses are encountered, they will "tick" and signal the immune system to kill just before the manifestation of the disease. It takes about 2 weeks for the body to produce protective antibodies after influenza vaccination.

6. How long does the flu vaccine work?

With some vaccines, the antibodies produced remain active for many years. But the viruses that cause influenza can vary year by year. As a result, antibodies produced in response to the flu vaccine may be effective this year but are likely to no longer work for the influenza virus in the following year. For this reason, influenza vaccination should be repeated every year.

7. Does vaccination with influenza during pregnancy help the fetus?

Vaccinating pregnant women with influenza twice as much benefit can protect both you and your fetus. On the other hand, post-birth babies cannot get the flu vaccine until the age of 6 months. When you perform influenza vaccination during pregnancy,antibodies produced in the mother's body will be transmitted to the fetus. These antibodies will protect the baby from the flu until the child can get the flu vaccine for the first time at the age of 6 months.

8. Does vaccination with influenza during pregnancy have side effects?

Most of the side effects of the flu vaccine are very mild, such as arm pain or mild fever, and usually disappear in just a day or two. Side effects and severe reactions are rare.

CDC is monitoring for unwanted effects and possible side effects on all approved and circulating vaccines in the United States. Upon receiving the vaccine, you will receive a full information, including possible side effects. If you want to get vaccinated against influenza during pregnancy but are worried about side effects, talk to your obstetrician for the best advice.

thong-tin-can-biet-ve-tiem-vac-xin-cum-when-pregnant-pregnant-2

Advice on possible side effects of vaccinating pregnant women with influenza

10. What to do if you have the flu while pregnant?

In case of suspected influenza during pregnancy or just getting pregnant (2 weeks or more), you should immediately go to a medical facility to see an obstetrician. Antiviral drugs should be used as soon as possible. Symptoms of influenza are usually:

  • Fever or feeling hot in the person
  • Feel chills
  • Body aches
  • Headache
  • tired
  • Cough or sore throat
  • Runny nose or nasal congestion

Antiviral drugs need to be prescribed after a full examination. The drug is most effective within 48 hours of the ons appearance of flu symptoms. However, the effect of the drug still lasts up to 4-5 days after the manifestation of influenza. An anti-virus drug does not cure the flu, but can shorten the time of its symptoms and severity.

11. What should pregnant mothers do if they have to make constant contact with someone with the flu?

The risk of influenza can occur when the pregnant mother is in regular contact with influenza patients, such as living with, caring for, or speaking directly with someone with the flu. You may be prescribed antiviral drugs to reduce your risk of getting the flu.

In the history of the medical industry, there was a flu pandemic in 2009, which had very severe consequences for many women and fetuses. Meanwhile, women can actively vaccinate against influenza during pregnancy at any time to best protect the health of pregnant mothers and their darlings.

At The Vaccine Advisory and Immunization Department – Share99 Health Hub, there are a variety of vaccines, including influenza vaccines. Vaccines at Share99 are preserved with advanced refrigeration lines with cold storage and refrigerators containing vaccines with a temperature warning unit that exceeds the allowable temperature range. In addition, you register for vaccination will be prompted by the software to remind the automatic vaccination schedule, check the vaccination history and plan to vaccinate through the computer, phone.

To schedule an examination and vaccination for influenza vaccine during pregnancy, you can contact Share99 Health Hubs and Clinics nationwide

For direct advice, please click hotline number or register online HERE. In addition, you can register for remote consultation HERE

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SEE MORE:

  • Colds, flu: When to go to the doctor?
  • Take care of your health with the flu
  • Vaccines for children 7-10 years old as recommended by CDC (USA)

About: John Smith

b1ffdb54307529964874ff53a5c5de33?s=90&r=gI am the author of Share99.net. I had been working in Vinmec International General Hospital for over 10 years. I dedicate my passion on every post in this site.

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