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Pregnant Women Need a Flu Shot, Too

Posted on: Saturday, 22 October 2005, 12:00 CDT

Pregnant women, even those in the second or third trimester, should get flu shots, urges Salt Lake Valley Health Department health officer Gary Edwards.

"Vaccination against influenza is very important for this group because women infected with influenza during pregnancy are at increased risk of serious heart and lung conditions that may lead to hospitalizations," Edwards warned Friday.

The warning comes on the heels of a study just released by the federal Centers for Disease Control (CDC) showing that only 13 percent of pregnant women receive flu shots.

Other studies have found that during the flu season pregnant women in the third trimester are just as likely to be hospitalized for heart or lung problems as women with serious, chronic medical conditions who are not pregnant, Edwards says. Healthy women at 37 to 42 weeks' gestation were almost five times more likely to be admitted to the hospital during the flu season, according to these studies.

Study findings also show that although most obstetricians recommend their pregnant and breast-feeding patients be immunized against influenza, only about one-third of those physicians offer immunizations within their own practices, according to the SLVHD.

Pregnant women whose OB/GYN does not have vaccine available, Edwards said, can visit one of the health department vaccination clinics or contact the Immunization Hotline at I-800-275-0659 to find other vaccination locations. "It could save you and your unborn child from severe complications," he said.

The SLVHD will offer flu vaccination clinics on Saturday, Oct. 29, and Saturday, Nov. 5, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Salt Lake County Government Center, 2001 S. State. Cost of the flu shot is $20.

Source: Deseret News (Salt Lake City)

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