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When you are pregnant, you need to watch every step you take. Even the most innocuous of things like a missed vaccination appointment can be dangerous for your unborn baby, according to a recent study. Yeah, you read that right.
Researchers recently conducted a study on influenza vaccinations during pregnancy and how they can protect infants, especially during the first six months of their life. Study authors observed that women who had influenza vaccinations during gestation, were able to reduce the risk of their newborns contracting the virus early in life.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggests that children who are six months and older should take flu vaccinations every year. Flu vaccines are crucial for three groups, under five years, 65 and above, and pregnant women. The three groups are classified as high-risk for contracting influenza. But this was data we already knew. What we didn’t know, is why the vaccine is important for pregnant women.
Shedding some light on the reasons for the vaccination, study author and assistant professor of pediatrics at the University of Utah School of Medicine Dr. Julie Shakib says: “Babies cannot be immunized during their first six months, so they must rely on others for protection from the flu during that time.”
So, it becomes imperative that the pregnant mom gets an influenza shot, to protect their baby-to-be from the infection.
The research team studied the health records of around 250,000 moms and their offspring. What they found was shocking. A whopping 97% flu-infected infants were born to non-vaccinated mothers!
While the incidence of flu vaccination remains low among pregnant women, the number has witnessed a sharp upturn after the 2009-2010 swine flu pandemic. But, the rates are still lower than what they should be, highlighting the need for flu immunization.
The flu vaccination can help lower your little one’s risk of contracting influenza before he is old enough to get his first shot.
We hope you found our post useful. Share it with other moms, and help them become aware.
