http://adventuresinautism.blogspot.com/2008/03/can-i-get-flu-shot-while-pregnant.html
Can I Get The Flu Shot While Pregnant?
I have noticed a lot of people coming here from "Can I get the flu shot
while pregnant" search term.
So I will post directly on this issue.
The CDC and it's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP)
recommends the flu shot for pregnant women.
However, I believe that this is an irresponsible recommendation as the flu
shot has not been safety tested on pregnant women.
And despite the fact that some of these flu vaccines are not for use in
children, the CDC and ACIP have not issued a warning for pregnant women
not
to have them.
Additionally, despite repeated requests from parents of vaccine injured
children, the CDC and ACIP will not state a preference for pregnant women
to
receive only Thimerosal free flu shots.
From the vaccine package inserts:
Fluarix (Thimerosal free):
Pregnancy: Pregnancy Category C. Animal reproduction studies have not been
conducted with FLUARIX. It is not known whether FLUARIX can cause fetal
harm
when administered to a pregnant woman or can affect reproduction capacity.
FLUARIX should be given to a pregnant woman only if clearly needed. The
ACIP
has issued recommendations regarding the use of the influenza virus
vaccine
in pregnant women.
Nursing Mothers: It is not known whether FLUARIX is excreted in human
milk.
Because many drugs are excreted in human milk, caution should be exercised
when FLUARIX is administered to a nursing woman. The ACIP has issued
recommendations regarding the use of the influenza virus vaccine in
nursing
mothers.
Pediatric Use: FLUARIX IS NOT INDICATED FOR USE IN CHILDREN.
Flulaval (Contains Thimerosal):
Pregnancy: Pregnancy Category C. Animal reproduction studies have not been
conducted with FLULAVAL. It is also not known whether FLULAVAL can cause
fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman or can affect
reproduction
capacity. FLULAVAL should be given to a pregnant woman only if clearly
needed.
Nursing Mothers: It is not known whether FLULAVAL is excreted in human
milk.
Because many drugs are excreted in human milk, caution should be exercised
when FLULAVAL is administered to a nursing woman.
Pediatric Use: Safety and effectiveness of FLULAVAL in pediatric patients
have not been established.
Flumist (Thimerosal Free):
Pregnancy: Pregnancy Category C Animal reproduction studies have not been
conducted with FluMist. It is not known whether FluMist can cause fetal
harm
when administered to a pregnant woman or can affect reproduction capacity.
FluMist should be given to a pregnant woman only if clearly needed.
The effect of the vaccine on embryo-fetal and pre-weaning development was
evaluated in a developmental toxicity study using pregnant rats receiving
the frozen formulation. Groups of animals were administered the vaccine
either once (during the period of organogenesis on gestation day 6) or
twice
(prior to gestation and during the period of organogenesis on gestation
day
6), 250mcL/rat/occasion (approximately 110-140 human dose equivalents
based
on TCID50), by intranasal instillation. No adverse effects on pregnancy,
parturition, lactation, embryo-fetal or preweaning development were
observed. There were no vaccine related fetal malformations or other
evidence of teratogenesis noted in this study.
Nursing Mothers: It is not known whether FluMist is excreted in human
milk.
Therefore, as some viruses are excreted in human milk and additionally,
because of the possibility of shedding of vaccine virus and the close
proximity of a nursing infant and mother, caution should be exercised if
FluMist is administered to nursing mothers.
Pediatric Use: FluMist is not indicated for use in children <24 months of
age. FluMist use in children <24 months has been associated with increased
risk of hospitalization and wheezing in clinical trials [see Warnings and
Precautions (5.1) and Adverse Reactions (6.1)].
Fluvirin (Contains Thimerosal)
Pregnancy: Pregnancy Category C
Animal reproduction studies have not been conducted with Influenza Virus
Vaccine (FLUVIRINŽ). It is also not known whether Influenza Virus Vaccine
(FLUVIRINŽ) can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman or
can affect reproduction capacity. Influenza Virus Vaccine (FLUVIRINŽ)
should
be given to a pregnant woman only if clearly needed.
The clinical judgment of the attending physician should prevail at all
times
in determining whether to administer Influenza Virus Vaccine to a pregnant
woman.
Pediatric Use: The safety and immunogenicity of FLUVIRINŽ have been
established in the age group 4 years to 16 years. The use of FLUVIRINŽ in
these age groups is sup****ted by evidence from adequate and
well-controlled
studies of FLUVIRINŽ in adults that demonstrate the immunogenicity of
FLUVIRINŽ. The safety and immunogenicity of FLUVIRINŽ have not been
established in children <4 years of age.
Fluzone (Comes in both Thimerosal Containing and Thimerosal Free):
PREGNANCY CATEGORY C
Animal reproduction studies have not been conducted with Influenza Virus
Vaccine. It is not known whether Influenza Virus Vaccine can cause fetal
harm when administered to a pregnant woman or can affect reproduction
capacity. Influenza Virus Vaccine should be given to a pregnant woman only
if clearly needed. For guidance regarding use in pregnant women, see
INDICATIONS AND USAGE section.
PEDIATRIC USE: SAFETY AND EFFECTIVENESS OF FLUZONE VACCINE (SUBVIRION) IN
INFANTS BELOW THE AGE OF 6 MONTHS HAVE NOT BEEN ESTABLISHED.
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