Pregnant Nurses and the flu shot

Published

For those Nurses who were pregnant (or are pregnant currently) during the flu season, did you get the regular flu shot or the preservative-free/thimerosal-free kind? Just curious. Will appreciate your replies. Thanks.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU. L&D, PP, Nursery.

Many people choose to eat organic, free range, preservative-free, ect. If a vaccine was available that was preservative-free (thimerosol is said to be a preservative) why wouldn't you choose the vaccine without extra chemicals?

Especially if you are pregnant.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Oncology.

I'm not pregnant or anything, but my hospital only got the preservative free kind, so that's what everyone got.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU. L&D, PP, Nursery.

caringnurse,

If you choose to receive a vaccine without preservatives, ask to see the label yourself. A HCW might just "assume" that the vaccine is without thimerosol, but is mistaken.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

There is ALOT of controversy out there about the swine flu shot...don't know if you mean that since it is current. However, do some homework yourself, but there is info out there that even the MAKERS of it won't take it!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Oncology.
caringnurse,

If you choose to receive a vaccine without preservatives, ask to see the label yourself. A HCW might just "assume" that the vaccine is without thimerosol, but is mistaken.

Ours came in single dose prefilled syringes. The syringe clearly stated "preservative free." She would probably just have to ask to see the syringe. If you see them drawing it up out of a multidose vial, that's a guarantee that it has preservative.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in EMS, ER, GI, PCU/Telemetry.

i'm a pregnant nurse and before i went out of work on bedrest i refused the mandated flu shot. i walked around for 12 hours with a mask on but that was my choice and i felt fine about it, the message our admins sent out stated the flu shots were to protect pt's from US, anyways.

my OB does not recommend the flu vaccine or the swine flu vaccine for any of his patients and i have asked other physicians on the topic, esp of the H1N1 vaccine, who said they wouldn't take it even if they were not pregnant.

if i were to take the seasonal flu shot, i would ask for the preservative free kind anyways, but to this day i have actually only taken the flu shot one year and that was the year i actually got the flu and got sick. i know it's a dead virus, but it is not effective against all flu strains.

i did have to have a PPD during my pregnancy for work but my doctor said that they have done enough testing with pregnant women and PPD's to determine it to be benign. other than that, i have not taken any other kind of meds.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in OB.

My facility also has the prefilled syringes that state "preservative free".

If you need more information on getting the flu shot during pregnancy, check out the cdc website, they have a ton of information. Also, both ACOG and AWHONN recommend the flu shot for pregnant women. However, it is a personal decision, do your research and talk with your ob.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU. L&D, PP, Nursery.
Ours came in single dose prefilled syringes. The syringe clearly stated "preservative free." She would probably just have to ask to see the syringe. If you see them drawing it up out of a multidose vial, that's a guarantee that it has preservative.

Just wondering, does "preservative free" mean thimerisol free?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in L&D and OB-GYN office.

Just curious, for those pregnant women who refuse the flu vaccine... if you are exposed to or come down with the flu during pregnancy, will you take Tamiflu? I'm not making any judgements here, just wondering.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

There is ALOT of controversy out there about the swine flu shot...don't know if you mean that since it is current. However, do some homework yourself, but there is info out there that even the MAKERS of it won't take it!

What is your source for this?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in EMS, ER, GI, PCU/Telemetry.
Just curious, for those pregnant women who refuse the flu vaccine... if you are exposed to or come down with the flu during pregnancy, will you take Tamiflu? I'm not making any judgements here, just wondering.

of course i would.

the flu shot is not 100% effective and does not protect you from all types of flu... i won't take it when i'm not pregnant, i've always taken my chances. as far as the H1N1 vaccine, i wouldn't be rolling up my sleeve for that one even if i wasn't pregnant--not enough clinical trial, and if they are forcing health care workers to get it, i feel as though we are the guinea pigs.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion