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Home › Entertainment

Pregnant Women and Swine Flu | 07/30/2009 9:00 am

Know Someone Who's Pregnant? Tell Them to Get the Swine Flu Virus Vaccine ASAP

With risk of infection at deadly rates for pregnant women, CDC says they should be at the front of the line to get the vaccine in October.
By The Staff at wowOwow.com
© Shutterstock

Do you have a daughter or granddaughter who is pregnant? How about a coworker or neighbor?

If so, spread the word: Pregnant women are at a higher risk of contracting swine flu — or the H1N1 virus — than many others, and should be among the first in line to get the vaccine.

In announcing its vaccination plan, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Wednesday recommended that pregnant women, kids six months and older and health-care workers are among the most susceptible to the potentially deadly virus. "These are groups that had higher risk of disease, who had greater burden of complications," said Dr. Anne Schuchat, director of the CDC’s National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases.

And pregnant women who think they have swine flu should get themselves to the nearest hospital ASAP, since they are at an unusually high risk of dying from an infection.

The government estimates that about 120 million doses of swine flu vaccine will be available by October, when we may see a resurgence in the virus. Even if there are limited supplies, pregnant women are among the 41 million high-priority individuals who will be able to still get one.
Read more about: CDC, Death, H1N1 virus, Health, hospital, Infection, News, Pregnancy, Pregnant Women, Risk, Swine Flu, U.S., Vaccines

58 Reader Comments (so far…) Sign In or Register to comment

Judy K.
When I saw my primary care physician this week, I asked when the list for flu shots was being compiled and was told to call early October.  So, people should be asking their doctors these questions already.  Dont assume you can walk in your doctors office and get a shot.  Unless you are high risk, there usually is a list as doses might be limited and, this year especially, I want to be at the head of the line.
By Judy K. on 07/30/2009 9:21 am
Maggie W
Is this shot really effective?  With so many viruses, the vaccine does not help.  We have all known people who received flu shots but still became ill.  There was much info in the paper when this particular flu first arrived on the scene.  I hope more new information will be readily available before Fall.
By Maggie W on 07/30/2009 10:28 am
Judy K.
Flu shots dont cover all the strains that are out there and are only effective for the ones covered in the shot.  Some people are already sick when they get the shot so blame the shot.  Even if the swine flu shot isnt ready by this fall, it isnt out there by itself.  but, hopefully, vaccine for it will be ready.  People who dont usually get sick say to me that they dont believe in the shots.  I get anything coming down the pike so I want any protection I can get.  One of the best things I ever did is get the shingles vaccine.  Not everyone should get it but it sure helped me out.  Also seniors should get the pneumonia shot (sometimes offered the same time as the flu shot).  The pneumonia shot is recommended every ten years and that is certainly something that affects seniors diminishing immune system. 
By Judy K. on 07/30/2009 12:53 pm
Andrea Brandon

Some physicians aren’t "up" on the latest CDC guidelines. For instance, it used to be that pneumonia shots for people over 65 was once every 10 years. Now it’s just once after age 65. [Some physicians are incorrectly using the old protocol.] See below for the latest schedule of vaccines for adults.

http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/wk/mm5753-Immunization.pdf

By Andrea Brandon on 07/30/2009 3:09 pm
Judy K.
Andrea, that list was very informative.  Thanks for sharing.  I think I need a further talk with my doctor about several of the listings you provided.
By Judy K. on 07/30/2009 6:07 pm
Maggie W
Thanks, Judy.  I also got the pneuminia shot and the shingles shot.  My mom had just a moderate case of the shingles when she was in her early sixties, and I know how miserable she was.  I can’t imagine having a severe case.   The shingles shot is now covered by insurance, so I hope more women will read your post. 
By Maggie W on 07/30/2009 4:03 pm
DeBúrca obj
Ok.
By DeBúrca obj on 07/30/2009 10:45 am
C Hardy

Deber, the first time I got a flu shot was when I was pregnant and have gotten one every year since then…When I was pregnant my ob/gyn advised me to get the flu shot and that it doesnt hurt the baby…so I did.  Didnt get sick with the flu just sick b/c it was my 3rd trimester but would do it all over again!

By C Hardy on 07/30/2009 1:37 pm
Lady Gator
deber b — The swine flu shot will actually be two shots.  (according to the Center for Disease Control).  So, let’s see, if I get my regular flu shot, which I get each year, the pneumonia shot, the shingle shot and the two swine shots — goodness, I wonder if I will become a watering can when I have a drink of water!
By Lady Gator on 07/30/2009 2:12 pm
deber B

"More than half of children taking the swine flu drug Tamiflu experience side-effects such as nausea and nightmares, research suggests.

An estimated 150,000 people with flu symptoms were prescribed the drug through a new hotline and website last week, according to figures revealed yesterday.

Studies of children attending three schools in London and one in the South West showed that 51-53 per cent had one or more side-effects from the medication, which is offered to everyone in England with swine flu symptoms. "

There’s more…

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/health/Swine_flu/article6734056.ece

By deber B on 07/31/2009 5:44 am
Andrea Brandon

Deber,

Conversely, I have an autoimmune disease and never miss the annual flu shot [even though it may not provide appropriate coverage].

I will say that a year ago I got a Tdap shot and the side effects were monumental.  A physician friend of mine came down with Guillain-Barre Syndrome after the Tdap and was paralyzed from the waist down for nearly a year.

By Andrea Brandon on 07/30/2009 3:17 pm
deber B
My husband came down with Guillain-Barre Syndrome while he was in college.   Very scary stuff.   In your situation you probably do need that flu shot.   I’ve never had one and I don’t see any reason to have one until, of course, I get the flu!  Maybe that will make a believer out of me!
By deber B on 07/30/2009 3:34 pm
Andrea Brandon

Deber,

It’s just like that Tdap shot I had……….no way I’ll ever have that one again. Never, ever.

Under theory, no one with a healthy immune system needs the flu shot, as I understand it.

By Andrea Brandon on 07/30/2009 7:07 pm
deber B

Andrea, I’m so sorry that you immune system is not up to snuff but I do hope you’ll always address what is right for you.   Personally, I have enjoyed amazing good health "so far" but one never knows what is around the corner.   I take very few drugs only those I approve of for the usual "upper" age individuals.   I balk at many things my doctors suggests but I will, however, get the dreaded shingles shot!   I’m not sure why but shingles does sound like a horrible thing to have….

By deber B on 07/30/2009 7:44 pm
Andrea Brandon

Deber,

I have a friend who came down with shingles. Terrible and painful.

Each of us needs to be our own best advocate. That means researching and learning before jumping in and taking pills and injections. Information is power.

By Andrea Brandon on 07/30/2009 8:45 pm
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