H1N1 Flu Vaccine for Pregnant Women
Garrison Women's Health Center in Dover, NH encourages all of its obstetric patients to get the seasonal flu vaccine and the H1N1 vaccine when available.
The vaccines are recommended for all pregnant women by the CDC and the American College of Ob/Gyns.It is also important to know that babies younger than 6 months can not be vaccinated against the flu, but they are at high risk for severe complications from seasonal flu and 2009 H1N1 influenza. They rely on you to protect them. Please get vaccinated!
The seasonal flu vaccine is now available and the H1N1 vaccine is projected to be availalble sometime in October.
Pregnant Women and the H1N1 Virus
In comparison to the general population, a greater proportion of pregnant women infected with the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus have been hospitalized.
While handwashing, staying away from ill people, and other steps can help protect you from the flu, vaccination is the single best way to protect yourself.
Is the H1N1 Flu Vacine Safe?
It is important for pregnant woman to receive the 2009 H1N1 flu vaccine as well as a seasonal influenza vaccine.
Influenza vaccines have not been shown to cause harm to a pregnant woman or her baby. A pregnant woman should not receive the live nasal spray influenza vaccine - she should have the flu injection, an inactivated vaccine.
Please ask one of our providers for more information or visit the Center for Disease Control website for more information.
