Comments on: Pregnant women need flu shots

By: John Doe

John Doe — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 14:39:49 +0000

Dr. Hugh Fudenberg, one of the world's leading immunogeneticists, states the chances of getting Alzheimer's disease is 10 times higher if an individual has five consecutive shots than if they have one, two or no shots. The flu vaccine can actually weaken the immune system and make you more predisposed to the illness. The CDC reports that 90 percent of deaths from influenza occur among the elderly. These kinds of statistics make it nearly impossible to credit the flu vaccine for prolonging lives in this age group, as 65 percent of all deaths (regardless of the cause) happen among the elderly. The fact remains, Flu vaccines are made from the previous year's strains, and can only protect against the types contained within vaccine. In addition the companies that make flu vaccine omitted a strain of the virus known as Fujian A, which became the most common cause of the infection in the 2003-2004 flu season. Most can tolerate the flu vaccine. Some cannot. Do all people who drink become alcholics. Do all smokers get cancer. NO. There are those who will try and make you believe that vaccines are completely safe. This is not true. Do they work. How can they if the flu they protect you from has already swept thru the population. Practice good hygeine, eat healthy, get plenty of sleep and you will avoid the flu. The truth will be revealed in time.

By: sonja

sonja — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 19:47:05 +0000

Has anyone gotten the flu shot before knowing they were preganant? I received mine 1 week before the ept came back positive and now am worried about the baby.

By: CM

CM — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 21:06:52 +0000

I was looking for the same info and am in the same exact situation VP. I heard that it takes two weeks to build immunity after getting the shot. I am guessing that after two weeks is when you can try. I just got mine yesterday and plan to start trying to conceive asap but I am worried too. Good to hear so many peds backing the vaccine during any trimester of pregnancy on here.

And what about the research that implicates the immune response of the mother to the flu in the development of Schizophrenia in her baby? http://www.schizophrenia.com/sznews/archives/005780.html

There is question as to whether the mother's immune response to the flu raises the risk of Schizophrenia by 3-7%. Of course they aren't ruling out genetics as a contributor too.

By: Beth

Beth — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 16:53:46 +0000

I work for a government facility which is offering free flu shots to every employee, EXCEPT pregnant women. When I asked why they gave no good reason, just told me I'd have to get my doctor to do it. Considering their own information sheet specifically listed pregnant women as a high risk group who should get the vaccine this seems a little crazy.

By: VP

VP — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 21:39:49 +0000

I just got a flu shot and am not pregnant but we are trying to get pregnant – I want to know if I should wait a month before we try again or are we good to go?

By: SMarie

SMarie — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 19:39:57 +0000

I am pregnant w/ #3 and decided not to get the flu shot this year. I starting researching and found about 50/50 were for /against flu shots. I thought about my grandmother /my mother who had 11 and 8 healthy children. There was no such thing as flu shots in their day. We just have to learn to slow down/manage our colds/flu when we get them take off work/rest drink plenty of liquids....

By: Caroline

Caroline — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 15:45:34 +0000

I *might* be a few weeks pregnant and just went to get a flu shot. I was turned away. The 3 nurses agreed that they did not know if if was safe for me or not and that I should consult a doctor. If it is safe, why don't the health care providers administering the shots know?

By: Melissa

Melissa — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 19:57:18 +0000

Please do not let these people convince you not to vaccinate yourself or your baby. My way of looking at it is as long as there is no evidence showing risk to your baby then get vaccinated. There is info everywhere as to which vaccines you should not take during pregnancy. How would you feel if you didn't get the vaccine and harm was done to your baby. In the end, its one of those situations where if it is just a big scam by the big pharmos as someone said then so what you're out $25 bucks, but if it really is protecting your baby then not getting the vaccine puts you much more than $25. A healthy life for you and your baby is priceless!!!!

By: MiChelle

MiChelle — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 15:26:34 +0000

I am losing a battle because I refuse to take a flu shot being pregnant. I am highly educated and I don't believe in taking flu or any other injection for religious reasons. I have been brought up on this belief and I also do not believe in vaccinating my children.

I feel a woman pregnant or otherwise does have the right to control what is put into her body. Just because the doctor "recommends" a vaccination does not mean it should be forced upon a woman.

By: AW

AW — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 17:42:03 +0000

Flu shots are not a scam. They're different every year and once you have one, you're immune to those strands for life. Therefore, if you get one every year, you increase your immunity by 3 varieties every year.

There is zero chance of getting the flu from a flu shot, and a pregnant woman passes immunity to her child. If a parent gets the flu, it's not a big deal, but an infant who contracts influenza has a significant chance of dying. 36,000 people do every year in this country.

Vaccines don't cause autism, either. This is a classic example of confusing coincidence with causation. Autism just happens to start to show symptoms around the time that children get vaccines. If a significant amount of people start believing rumors about this, we're going to be facing the resurgence of deadly infectious disease among children. Diptheria, typhoid, measles, and smallpox anyone?

Get a vaccine. Protect yourself, your family, your baby, and our public health.