Influenza Vaccination During Pregnancy
Pregnancy during the winter brings challenges with it: the need to protect both the mother and the fetus from winter illnesses. Pregnant women who contracted the flu are at increased risk of developing a serious disease as the immune system is weaker during pregnancy. The recommendation is that pregnant women, women who plan a pregnancy and women in the 3 months after childbirth be vaccinated against influenza. The vaccine protects the mother and the fetus, and the newborn after childbirth.
The disease
The influenza virus, which attacks the respiratory tract, is extremely contagious. The flu is generally spread through coughing, sneezing or contact with nasal or phlegmy secretions. Symptoms of the disease include fever over 38 degrees, sore throat, headache, runny nose, coughing, muscle ache, weakness, fatigue and diminished appetite. The main complication of influenza is pneumonia, which may result in hospitalization and even death.
Complications of influenza are more common among women in their second and third trimester of pregnancy and postpartum women, and among infants under the age of six months.
The vaccine
Every year, just before flu season, a vaccine is formed against the strains of flu that are expected to be common in the upcoming season. The effective and safe vaccine that is administered during pregnancy protects against contracting strains of the influenza viruses and possible complications of the disease during the winter. The vaccine protects both the mother and the fetus, and after childbirth – the baby as well.
The vaccine is administered in the HMOs, free of charge. From the age of six months, it is recommended to vaccinate babies against the flu.
- Composition of the vaccine:
- The live attenuated vaccine: contains live-attenuated influenza viruses of the strains that are expected to be the most common in the coming year.
- The inactivated vaccine: contains inactivated influenza viruses of the strains that are expected to be the most common in the coming year. Pregnant women get only the inactivated vaccine.
- Vaccination schedule: influenza vaccines arrive at the HMOs generally in September-October. Follow advertisements to get vaccinated in the fall so that you can be protected before the winter begins. You may be vaccinated for influenza before or during pregnancy, but the type of vaccine will be different:
- Before pregnancy: you may get the inactivated vaccine, which is administered by injection, or the live attenuated vaccine, which is administered by nasal spray.
- During pregnancy: you may get only the inactivated vaccine, which is administered by injection.
- How and where can you get vaccinated: the live attenuated vaccine is administered by nasal spray, the inactivated influenza vaccine is administered by injection to the arm.
The influenza vaccine during pregnancy protects the baby in two ways
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Develops antibodies
The vaccine causes your body to develop antibodies against the flu, which are then transmitted to the fetus through the placenta. These antibodies will protect the baby even after childbirth.
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Protects against contracting the disease
The vaccine will protect you from contracting the disease, thereby reduce the chances of infecting the baby after childbirth. Anyone caring for babies should be vaccinated against the flu in order to protect themselves, and thereby protect the baby.
The importance of the influenza vaccine for pregnant women
Complications of influenza are more common among women in their second and third trimester of pregnancy and postpartum women, and among infants under the age of six months. Vaccination before pregnancy will protect you and your fetus, and the newborn after childbirth, from the disease and its complications. If you did not get vaccinated for influenza before the pregnancy - it is important to get vaccinated during the pregnancy.
The importance of vaccinating of pregnant women against the flu is supported by extensive research worldwide, including:
- Pregnant women face increased risk compared to the rest of the population of developing acute influenza, and of suffering from severe and even life-threatening complications. A review of the Center for Disease Control (CDC) in the United States showed that during the 2014-2015 flu season, approximately one-third of women 15-44 years old who were hospitalized due to flu were pregnant.
- Toddlers under the age of two who contract the flu will face increased risk of developing complications, including dehydration, pneumonia, ear infection and sinusitis and acute encephalitis. The influenza vaccine can only be administered from six months of age, and until then babies are vulnerable to the disease. A study shows that vaccination of the mother during pregnancy reduces the risk of the infant contracting the flu by 63%.
- A 2014 study found that the influenza vaccine reduces the risk of premature childbirth and low birth weight babies.
Safety of the vaccine for pregnant women
The influenza vaccine is safe for pregnant women. A 20-year study published in 2011 that monitored women who were vaccinated against the flu during pregnancy did not find any abnormal patterns of pregnancy complications or damage to the newborns.
Possible side effects following vaccination and how to alleviate them
A small percentage of people who receive the inactivated influenza vaccine may experience side effects following the vaccination but the side effects are largely mild and disappear on their own after two or three days:
- Swelling, redness and pain at the injection site: a clean compress soaked with lukewarm water may be placed on the injection site. Avoid massaging the area.
- Fever, headache, muscle pain and fatigue: a pharmaceutical may be used to lower temperature and to relieve pain. Consult your physician about the types of products and dosages that are permitted during pregnancy.
- Hoarseness, coughing, eye irritation, itching: may last one or two days after the vaccination.
