Flu shot call for pregnant women

A study says the flu vaccine is safe to administer during any trimester. Source: Herald Sun

ONLY one in four pregnant women are being vaccinated against the flu, despite being more vulnerable to life-threatening complications caused by influenza, a study has found.

Women who were recommended by their health care providers to have the vaccine were 20 times more likely to be vaccinated, according to a survey published in The Medical Journal of Australia.

But only 42 per cent of women surveyed recalled being advised to have the shot.

According to the study, the flu vaccine is safe to administer during any trimester and reduced the risk of babies contracting the flu during their first six months.

Pregnant women were more vulnerable to contracting the virus.

During the 2009 Australian influenza pandemic they were hospitalised at five times the rate of non-pregnant women.

"Pregnant women with influenza have an increased risk of complications, including hospitalisation, intensive care unit admission, pre-term delivery and, in severe cases, death," University of Sydney PhD candidate Kerrie Wiley and her co-authors wrote.

Of the 815 women surveyed at NSW antenatal clinics during the 2011 influenza season, 27 per cent had been vaccinated against influenza.

The survey found the medical advice received was crucial in persuading pregnant women to be vaccinated against influenza.

"Concern about the safety of the vaccine for the baby was negatively associated with vaccination," the authors wrote.

"However, of the 502 women who expressed concern, 339 (68 per cent) agreed they would have the vaccine if their doctor or midwife recommended it."

The researchers recommended increasing the educational material available to women and improving access to the vaccine.

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