Why does the CDC advise pregnant women to get the 2009 H1N1 and the seasonal flu shots?
Pregnant women, compared to the general population, are at increased risk for severe disease and serious complications, including death, from the flu. Pregnant women who are otherwise healthy have been severely impacted by the pandemic 2009 H1N1 flu virus. In comparison to the general population, a greater proportion of pregnant women infected with the pandemic 2009 H1N1 flu virus have been hospitalized and died. This is why pregnant women are among the highest priority groups for immunization. The CDC recommends that pregnant women receive both the inactivated Influenza A H1N1 (2009) monovalent vaccine and the inactivated seasonal influenza vaccine during any stage of pregnancy. These recommendations are based on the increased risks of influenza and its complications for pregnant women, the protection that the influenza vaccines can provide for both pregnant women and their newborns, and the track record of safety of the licensed inactivated seasonal influenza vaccines. When a pregnant woman gets a flu shot, it can protect both her and her baby. Research has found that pregnant women who had a flu shot get sick less often with the flu than do pregnant women who did not get a flu shot. Babies born to mothers who had a flu shot in pregnancy also get sick with flu less often than do babies whose mothers did not get a flu shot.
Last Reviewed: 10/28/2009
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