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Safety of Flu Vaccines

Some pregnant women are concerned about the safety of 2009 H1N1 flu and seasonal flu vaccines. Both flu vaccines are safe. Vaccination is one of the most important things that you can do for yourself and your baby. Vaccination is safe for you and your baby. Both shots protect your baby from getting the flu. Your baby cannot get the flu shot until 6 months of age. The seasonal flu vaccine has been given safely to millions of pregnant women over the past 45 years. Flu shots have not been shown to cause harm to pregnant women or their babies. The 2009 H1N1 flu vaccine is made the same way as the seasonal flu vaccine. The type of mercury used in some vaccines has not been shown to be harmful to a pregnant woman or her unborn baby. Mercury has not been found to cause autism. However, if you are still concerned, there is an H1N1 shot without mercury [may or may not be available in your area].

The risk for a pregnant woman and her unborn baby of getting sick with the flu is far greater than being vaccinated. If you did not get the flu vaccines during pregnancy, you should still get them even if you are breast feeding. This will help prevent you and your baby from getting the flu. ACOG (American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists)



New York State Department of Health
2009 Novel H1N1 Influenza


HOTLINE 1-800-808-1987

(available 24/7) for the public and medical community