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.

View the original article here

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.

View the original article here

Pregnant mum smuggled drugs on her tum

A PREGNANT Gold Coast mum who tried to smuggle more than 10,000 tablets of a restricted drug through Brisbane's International Airport strapped to her belly has avoided an immediate jail term.

Mother-of-two Milka Bracanovic was jailed for 12-months, but released immediately on a good behaviour bond, for importing almost 1kg of over-the-counter cold and flu tablets containing pre-cursor drugs used to make illegal amphetamines on Christmas Eve 2011.

The Brisbane District Court was told a heavily pregnant Bracanovic and her drug addict boyfriend, Matthew John Perry, both then aged 34, tried to smuggle about 30,000 tablets into Australia after enjoying a short vacation in Thailand.

Prosecutor Bill Ferguson said when confronted by Australian Customs officials upon arrival in Brisbane via a direct flight from Thailand, Bracanovic admitted she had 10,160 pills concealed in a "body pack" strapped to her stomach.

Mr Ferguson said officers also found a further two packages - containing less than 10,000 pills each - hidden in Perry and Bracanovic's luggage.

The court was told Perry - who was last year sentenced to one year's jail - immediately claimed the drugs were his and that he had forced his girlfriend, Bracanovic, to carry the tablets for him.

Mr Ferguson said the couple claimed the 30,000 tablets had been purchased to feed Perry's addiction to cold and flu tablets.

However, the court was told Supreme Court Justice Jean Dalton rejected that submission during Perry's sentencing hearing, saying the quantity suggested was more likely for use in the illicit production of amphetamines, known in drug circles as "speed."

Barrister John Jacob, for Bracanovic, said his client is currently pregnant with her third child.

Bracanovic, 35, of Runaway Bay, on Thursday pleaded guilty to one count of importing a tier one border control substance.

The court was told Perry was jailed after pleading guilty to importing 1.4kg of the drug.

View the original article here