Is the flu vaccine safe for pregnant women? A clear explanation from an expert
Obstetrics and Gynecology Specialist Assoc. Prof. Dr. Seda Şahin stated that many problems mothers may encounter with the flu vaccine can be prevented, saying, "The weather has cooled, schools have opened, and flu season is approaching. What should a pregnant woman do, especially if she's pregnant? This is a question patients have been asking a lot lately . The flu vaccine is safe for pregnant women and can be administered at any stage of pregnancy."
For us, there's no harm in vaccinating during pregnancy with the flu vaccine. Regardless of the benefits, we'll be preventing the mother from developing pneumonia after a flu-related illness. This will prevent hospitalization and prevent any fetal complications.
"After all, when we protect the mother, we automatically protect the baby. The vaccine we administer to the mother, especially in the first three to six months after pregnancy, is passed to the baby via enzymes, thanks to the antibodies present in the mother's blood. This, in turn, protects the baby against influenza infections," he said.
Şahin stated that the flu vaccine is an inactivated vaccine, adding, "Therefore, it would be beneficial for us to get the flu vaccine, especially between September and November, to protect both ourselves and our babies. The flu vaccine is not a live vaccine.
Therefore, because it's an inactivated vaccine, it can be administered easily. Side effects are something we're very concerned about. What we typically see as side effects is a slight redness and soreness in the arm. Other than that, we generally don't experience any other side effects. Therefore, if we're pregnant, we can safely get our flu vaccine," he said.
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