I am looking forward to have answers about midviwes and nurses on this topic since they are in close and frequent contact with pregnants.  Their attitude would directly affect the opinion of pregnant women on the influenza vaccination. 

Prenatal care is the best time for this vaccine, so we suggest non-application

I am an old midwife with 35 years of experience.  I recommend that women not take any vaccines during pregnancy, since to my knowledge, the short and long term affects of vaccinating during pregnancy have not been studied. Some people get the flu from the vaccine.  This could actually cause damage, via the high fever, and contradicts supposed benefit. If the woman gets fever, pregnant women should use acetominophen etc etc to reduce fever, since fever could result in seizures in the fetus from over heating.     The 15 minute organ scan is another source that  heats up the fetus, thus causing an increased risk of seizures in the fetus.   There are limited usefulness of the organ scan.  (see attached)   A logical reason is lacking  to give a flu vaccine to prevent fevers and then heat up the fetus on purpose with organ scans.     

Our midwifery practice follows the vaccine recommendations of the American College of Nurse-Midwifes (ACNM), the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).  In pregnancy, our midwifery protocol is as follows:

Safe vaccines recommended for all:  Inactivated Influenza vaccine (flu shot) and Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis (Tdap).

Safe and recommended for some (per History):  Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B

Not Safe during Pregnancy:  Human Papillomavirus (HPV), Measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR), Varicella (chicken pox), Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine (nasal spray)

We do not provide any live vaccines to women during pregnancy.

Our practice encourages all pregnant women to receive the inactivated flu shot for the following reasons: 1. “Women are more prone to severe or life-threatening illness if they get the flu”.  2.  There is a greater risk preterm labor and delivery in women who do not receive the flu shot.  3.  When given to the pregnant mother, the flu shot can decrease the baby’s risk of getting the flu for up to 6 months after birth.

Over the past years, there have been many advances in vaccinations, including a notable decrease of previously identified side effects.  In our practice, the side effects of the flu shot have been limited in both our patients and staff, who also are provided the flu shot.  The side effects have mainly consisted of a soreness at the injection site. 

Further information on vaccination can be found at the websites of the above organizations.