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)
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