The flu epidemic is being especially aggressive this winter in Spain, with January being the month in which it usually reaches its highest peak and the B variety of the virus that is causing the most cases.
The Spanish Association of Pediatrics notes among its recommendations on vaccination against influenza for the 2017-2018 campaign that that of pregnant women is one of the risk groups in which Influenza vaccination is particularly indicated in any trimester of pregnancy, as they also point out from the Ministry of Health.
Why is it important to get vaccinated?
In case of contracting the flu, a pregnant woman presents 18 percent higher risk of complications than a woman who is not.
This is due to the changes that occur at the level of the immune system, the heart and lungs during pregnancy, makes them more likely to develop a serious illness such as pneumonia, bronchitis and other lung diseases.
If the pregnant woman also suffers from other diseases such as asthma or diabetes, the risk is even greater, in addition to the risk of premature delivery if the flu becomes complicated.
Vaccination involves a 70% reduction in cases of influenza in pregnant women and 80% in the number of hospitalizations for infection in infants under 6 months, so the main health agencies such as the WHO, the CDC, as well as the AEP and the Ministry of Health recommend immunization, especially if The woman will give birth in the winter months.
Also protects the baby
Vaccination during pregnancy not only protects the mother, but also the baby, since the mother passes the antibodies through the placenta. Thus protects the baby from infection during the first six months of life, until you can receive the vaccine.
//www.e-lactancia.org/breastfeeding/influenza-virus-vaccine/product/
Who cannot get vaccinated
Women with egg allergy, with hypersensitivity to egg proteins, or who had a previous severe allergic reaction to inactivated influenza vaccines.
Women with a Acute disease with high fever. They should wait for the symptoms to remit to apply it.
Does not cause autism in the baby
Finally, to clear up all kinds of doubts, let's talk about one of the false myths related to vaccine: the possibility of increasing the risk of autism in the baby. There is enough evidence to conclude that that's not true. The flu vaccine in pregnant women It is not associated with an increased risk of developing autism spectrum disorders (ASD) For future children.
This has been confirmed by a mega study conducted with almost 200 thousand born in ten years, which concluded that an association cannot be established between flu vaccination and an increased risk of autism in children.
Is it late to get vaccinated?
It is recommended to receive the flu vaccine in the months of October and November, when the virus begins to circulate. However, getting vaccinated later may still be beneficial and vaccination should continue to be offered throughout the influenza season, even in January and later.
The development of antibodies to protect against influenza takes approximately two weeks after vaccination.
In addition to the flu, you can check in this article what vaccines are recommended before and during pregnancy.
