Pregnant Nurses and the flu shot

[rn4ever?]

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.

[lsyorke, RN]

Tamiflu is a Class C drug for pregnancy:

From rxlist.com:

Pregnancy Category C

There are insufficient human data upon which to base an evaluation of risk of TAMIFLU to the pregnant woman or developing fetus. Studies for effects on embryo-fetal development were conducted in rats (50, 250, and 1500 mg/kg/day) and rabbits (50, 150, and 500 mg/kg/day) by the oral route. Relative exposures at these doses were, respectively, 2, 13, and 100 times human exposure in the rat and 4, 8, and 50 times human exposure in the rabbit. Pharmacokinetic studies indicated that fetal exposure was seen in both species. In the rat study, minimal maternal toxicity was reported in the 1500 mg/kg/day group. In the rabbit study, slight and marked maternal toxicities were observed, respectively, in the 150 and 500 mg/kg/day groups. There was a dose*dependent increase in the incidence rates of a variety of minor skeletal abnormalities and variants in the exposed offspring in these studies. However, the individual incidence rate of each skeletal abnormality or variant remained within the background rates of occurrence in the species studied.

[MikeyBSN]

Canada is considering suspending the seasonal flu vaccine because their research shows that the seasonal flu shot increases a person's susceptibility to H1N1 flu. Since H1N1 has shown to be especially dangerous to pregnant women, I don't see why any pregnant woman would get it. Unless of course, like the American media and government, they completely ignore the Canadian studies as flawed and unfounded.

[blondy2061h, MSN, RN]

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

Yes, it does

[Spacklehead, MSN, NP]

I did the get the regular influenza vaccine back when I was pregnant with my second child in 2004. I honestly don't know if it was from a multi-dose vial or not, I can't remember. For me, I felt it was a good choice since it might help to reduce the chance of my baby contracting influenza once he was born (which was right in the middle of flu season) due to the antibodies my body produced in response to the vaccine.

[KristiePDX]

I recieved the standard flu shot when I was pregnant in 2007-2008.

I just got the 2009-2010 flu shot, and yes I am pregnant again.

I did not ask about preservatives then and did not this time either.

I will get the H1N1 vaccine when that comes around too.

For me, the preservative issue is not that big of a deal. I take my vitamins, try to eat healthy, and follow proper precautions. I have enough things to worry about in my life. Everyone has a soapbox, me included. This one I just have little/no interest in.