Give Your Fetus a Flu Shot

Give Your Fetus a Flu Shot

Monday, September 22, 2008

Pediatrician Dr. Cara Natterson tells you how.

If you get a flu shot when you're pregnant, you can protect your newborn from the flu for up to six months after birth, according to a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine.

"This is a very interesting study, because influenza is a leading cause of hospitalization and a potentially fatal illness in young infants," says pediatrician Dr. Cara Natterson. "A child needs to be six months old before he or she can receive a flu vaccine. This means that babies zero to six months old cannot be immunized, even if their parents wish to."

That's where this study comes in. "If a pregnant mother is vaccinated against the flu in her third trimester and then delivers a baby just before or during the flu season, there seems to be protection passed onto the infant," Dr. Cara continues. "This could translate into a significant decrease in infant morbidity and possibly mortality from influenza."

Why not give it a shot?

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I think breastfeeding is also an option…my son was born in October and will be turning one soon. He has never had any colds when I had caught it twice.

- Marquita

Posted 09/22/08 12:06 PM

I don’t know about this… I’ve never had the flu shot, and I’ve only had the flu a handful of times in my life. I rarely get sick, and I handle disgusting books all day (I work at a library—just try not to think about everything that has touched those—especially children’s books! yeech!). And I’ve never had a flu shot. I just don’t see the point. Most people I know who do get one, get the flu just as often as they did when they *DIDNT* get the shot.

- a.

Posted 09/22/08 05:29 PM