THERE are three main benefits to being vaccinated against the flu during pregnancy, according to NHMRC Research Fellow Jane Frawley and Assistant Deputy Vice Chancellor of Research and Distinguished Professor of Public Health Elizabeth Sullivan, both at the University of Technology Sydney, writing online in The Conversation.:
1. The vaccine protects mother and the unborn baby and even though the effectiveness of the vaccine varies with individuals and from strain to strain, research shows that individuals who have the vaccine and still contract the flu are less likely to develop severe consequences.
2. Baby is protected for the first few months after being born, the period during which they cannot be vaccinated (until six months), because the mother transfers maternal antibodies via the placenta to the unborn child.
Babies younger than six months are at increased risk of respiratory illnesses compared to babies of mothers who had been vaccinated against the flu.
3. The flu vaccine may also protect against whooping cough.
"Recent research has found women are less likely to get whooping cough during pregnancy if they've had the flu shot."
In addition, the authors emphasised the safety of the influenza vaccine.
"Research has consistently demonstrated it's safe to have the flu vaccine during pregnancy," they write.
"A growing number of studies have suggested vaccination may even reduce the risk of preterm birth, stillbirth and improve an infant's birth weight.
"A popular myth that continues to circulate is that the flu vaccine can give you the flu.
"The flu vaccines given in Australia do not contain live virus, so contracting flu from the vaccination is impossible."
Access at theconversation.com.
The above article was sent to subscribers in Pharmacy Daily's issue from 21 Jun 18
To see the full newsletter, see the embedded issue below or CLICK HERE to download Pharmacy Daily from 21 Jun 18