Every year, at this time of period, and especially this year through the Covid 19 pandemic, I strongly recommend that all pregnant women and midwives be vaccinated against the flu.
Flu during pregnancy can cause serious problems and complications. Changes in immune, heart and lung function during pregnancy make you more vulnerable. Pregnant women with the flu are at higher risk of becoming seriously ill and in need of hospitalization and often have difficulty recovering.
The flu virus is not transmitted to the fetus but the impaired health of the pregnant woman may lead to fetal complications such as premature birth or residual development in the fetus.
The vaccine is now the best protection against the flu virus. It can stimulate the body’s immune system to produce antibodies against the flu virus.
The antibodies protect the pregnant woman from getting sick in a possible future exposure to the flu virus. The flu vaccine provides 60-70% protection and usually takes about two weeks after vaccination to produce the antibodies.
Antibodies can also pass through the bloodstream and placenta into the fetus. These antibodies will help protect him for up to 6 months after birth, when his immune system is still immature and unprepared. In addition, babies under 6 months are too young to be vaccinated against the flu.
If you have not been vaccinated during pregnancy then it is recommended that you do it during pregnancy even if you are breastfeeding. Do not forget that the flu is transmitted from person to person. You, or those who come in contact with your baby can transmit the virus.
If you are breast-feeding, get the vaccine so that the antibodies are passed on to your baby through breast milk and protect it. In this way you protect yourself from getting sick and transmitting the flu to your baby.
The Covid-19 pandemic necessitates influenza vaccination for pregnant women. Some flu-like symptoms are similar to those of Covid-19 such as headache, chills, fever, sore throat, cough, shortness of breath, fatigue. does not provide protection against all strains of influenza virus. The strains contained in the vaccine are the ones that experts consider most likely to dominate in the winter.
Ideally, the flu vaccine should be given in October or November, but in no case should it be given later or earlier.