What you need to know about getting the flu shot during pregnancy

The article was professionally consulted by Specialist Doctor II Nguyen Thi Minh Tuyet - Head of Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Vinmec Central Park International General Hospital.

Before becoming pregnant, women should be given priority to get a flu shot to protect the health of both mother and child. However, in fact, in Vietnam, flu vaccination during pregnancy has not been paid much attention by pregnant women.

The flu isn't just a common cold, it comes on suddenly with many other symptoms, including fever, headache, fatigue, muscle aches, cough, and sore throat. Influenza has the potential to lead to various complications, such as pneumonia.
Some complications of flu can be life-threatening, affecting the health of mother and baby during pregnancy. Therefore, flu vaccination during pregnancy is essential for all expectant mothers.

Some of the following groups of people who have the flu are more likely to have dangerous complications:
Elderly people (65 years of age or older) Children under 5 years of age People with medical conditions such as asthma, heart disease or Cancer Pregnant women. Pregnant women with flu can affect their babies. Therefore, before deciding to have children, women should get a flu shot to prevent the disease from occurring.

During pregnancy, the immune system often undergoes various changes. This is normal for the body but can increase the risk of complications from the flu.
Besides, you also have a higher risk of experiencing pregnancy complications with the flu, such as premature labor and premature birth. There is a high chance that pregnant women will need to be hospitalized for treatment if they catch the flu during pregnancy. At that time, the risk of dying from the flu also increased. To limit this situation, women should go to medical centers to receive flu vaccines during pregnancy.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that everyone 6 months of age and older, including pregnant and breastfeeding women, get a flu vaccine every year. Getting the flu shot during pregnancy is best done before flu season (October to May next year) and as soon as vaccines are available.
However, you can get the flu shot at any time during your pregnancy. If you didn't get vaccinated early before flu season, you can still get them during and after the flu season. If you have another medical condition that increases your risk of flu complications, such as asthma or heart disease, you should consider getting a flu shot before the flu season begins.

The flu vaccine triggers your immune system to make antibodies against the flu virus. These antibodies are not lost but circulate in the blood. If flu viruses are encountered, they will "mark" and signal the immune system to destroy them just before they manifest. It takes about 2 weeks for the body to make protective antibodies after a flu shot.

With some vaccines, the antibodies produced stay active for many years. But the viruses that cause the flu can change from year to year. Therefore, antibodies produced in response to the flu vaccine may be effective this year but likely won't work against the flu virus next year. For this reason, flu vaccination should be repeated every year.

Getting the flu vaccine during pregnancy offers double the benefit of being able to protect both you and your unborn baby. On the other hand, a newborn baby can't get the flu shot until they're 6 months old. When you get the flu shot during pregnancy, the antibodies created in the mother's body are passed on to the unborn baby. These antibodies will protect your baby from the flu until he or she can get his first flu shot at 6 months of age.

Most side effects of the flu vaccine are very mild, such as arm pain or low-grade fever, and usually go away in just a day or two. Side effects and serious reactions are very rare.
CDC is monitoring for adverse events and possible side effects for all vaccines approved and marketed in the United States. When you receive the vaccine, you will receive full information, including possible side effects. If you want to get the flu vaccine during pregnancy but are worried about side effects, talk to your obstetrician for the best advice.

In case you suspect that you have the flu while you are pregnant or have just become pregnant (for 2 weeks or more), you should go to a medical facility immediately to see an obstetrician. Antiviral medication should be started as soon as possible. Flu symptoms are usually:
Fever or body heat Feeling chills Body aches Headache Fatigue Cough or sore throat Runny or stuffy nose Antiviral drugs need to be prescribed after visiting full examination. The medicine is most effective within 48 hours of the onset of flu symptoms. However, the effect of the drug still lasts up to 4-5 days after the onset of flu symptoms. An antiviral medication does not cure the flu, but can shorten the duration of symptoms and their severity.

The risk of catching the flu can occur when pregnant women are in frequent contact with flu patients, such as living with, caring for, or talking directly with someone who has the flu. You may be prescribed antiviral medications to reduce your risk of getting the flu.
In the history of the health industry, there was a flu pandemic in 2009, causing very severe consequences for many women and their unborn babies. Meanwhile, women can take the initiative to get the flu vaccine during pregnancy at any time to best protect the health of pregnant women and their babies.
At the Vaccinations and Consulting Department - Vinmec Hospital currently has a variety of vaccines, including influenza vaccines. Vaccines at Vinmec are preserved by an advanced cold chain with cold storage and vaccine refrigerators with over-temperature warning. Besides, customers who register for vaccination will be automatically reminded of vaccination schedule by software, can check vaccination history and injection plan via computer or phone.
To schedule an examination and vaccination against influenza vaccine during pregnancy, you can contact the Hospitals and clinics of Vinmec Health system nationwide