Women’s CD specialists and health authorities recommend that if you are pregnant or are part of an at-risk group, you should get vaccinated against the flu virus.
As such, influenza is an infectious disease that affects the respiratory tract. It is caused by a virus that spreads and transmits very easily, especially during the autumn and winter months. Its severity varies, and can be very mild or very severe, sometimes leading to death.
During the first trimester of pregnancy, influenza virus infection has been associated with an increase in cardiac malformations, neural tube defects or cleft lip. During the second and third trimester, it has been linked to premature delivery or miscarriage.
Flu vaccine, effective and safe
Nowadays, vaccines do not contain live viruses, so they cannot cause influenza. It is therefore a very safe and effective tool that totally prevents influenza and its complications.
Thus, the flu vaccine does the following:
- It protects the mother.
- Protects the newborn baby.
- Protects the baby during the first months of its life.
There are some side effects that may occur after the vaccine is administered, such as discomfort at the injection site, muscle pain or fever, although these side effects do not last more than 48 hours.
When should I get the flu vaccine?
With the coincidence of the COVID-19 pandemic, right now it is more important than ever that the most vulnerable groups get vaccinated against the flu. These groups are as follows:
- Pregnant women.
- Postpartum women, i.e., up to six months postpartum who have not been previously vaccinated.
- People over 65 years of age.
- Adults under 65 years of age, but with chronic diseases: cardiovascular, neurological, respiratory, renal, diabetes…
For more information on influenza vaccination during pregnancy, please consult a specialist in Gynecology.