Seasonal Flu Vaccine Protects Both Mom and Baby, Poses No Extra Risk of Birth Defects, Preterm Birth, Experts Say

          WHITE PLAINS, NY, Jan. 15, 2013—As the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reminds all Americans that it’s not too late to get an influenza vaccine, the March of Dimes wants to remind pregnant women that the flu vaccine is safe during pregnancy and can protect both mother and baby from the flu and its possible consequences.

          Health complications resulting from influenza infection, such as pneumonia, can be serious and even deadly, according to the March of Dimes, which recommends that pregnant women, and women who expect to become pregnant, get an annual “flu” shot.

          The CDC recommends that everyone six months or older, including pregnant women, should be vaccinated against the influenza virus.

          Studies, which looked at thousands of pregnant women who received the seasonal “flu” vaccine, found that their babies did not have a higher risk of being born too soon or developing a birth defect when compared with babies born to women who did not get a vaccine. Also, researchers found that women who were vaccinated were less likely to suffer a stillbirth. One study was published in July in the Journal of the American Medical Association and the other in the September issue of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

          “It’s not too late for pregnant women, and women who expect to become pregnant, to get their flu shot. The influenza virus poses a serious risk of illness and even death,” said Siobhan Dolan, MD, MPH, an obstetrician-gynecologist at Montefiore Medical Center in Bronx, N.Y., medical advisor to the March of Dimes and author of Healthy Mom, Healthy Baby. “We hope these latest studies will ease any concerns that getting the “flu” shot may hurt their unborn baby. In fact, babies born to mothers who got their flu shot while pregnant were protected from serious illness with influenza during their six months of life.”

          In addition to getting their annual “flu” shot, pregnant women can lower the risk of catching influenza by limiting contact with others who are sick, coughing or sneezing into a tissue or an arm, not touching the eyes, nose and mouth, washing hands with soap and water before touching others, using sanitizers, using hot, soapy water or a dishwasher to wash dishes and utensils, and not sharing dishes, glasses, utensils or toothbrush. Also, those who live with pregnant women, or are in close contact with them, should be immunized.

          Unimmunized pregnant women who develop influenza infection symptoms such as fever, muscle aches, and cough should contact their health providers as soon as possible to begin the treatment.

          In 2013, the March of Dimes celebrates its 75th Anniversary and its ongoing work to help babies get a healthy start in life. Early research led to the Salk and Sabin polio vaccines that all babies still receive. Other breakthroughs include new treatments for premature infants and children with birth defects. About 4 million babies are born each year in the United States, and all have benefitted from March of Dimes lifesaving research and education. Healthy Mom, Healthy Baby: The Ultimate Pregnancy Guide is being published this month as part of March of Dimes 75th Anniversary celebration.

          The March of Dimes is the leading nonprofit organization for pregnancy and baby health. With chapters nationwide, the March of Dimes works to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. For the latest resources and information, visit marchofdimes.com or nacersano.org. Find us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.