Who should get a flu vaccine?
For the first time, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) is recommending all people 6 months and older get a flu vaccine, which protects against three viruses — an H3N2 virus, an influenza B virus and the H1N1. It is important to note:
- Many medically-high-risk persons don’t consider themselves at risk.
- The CDC indicates motivation for flu vaccination is dependent on perceptions of severity of disease, perceptions of personal susceptibility to the disease or side effects and, most importantly, the strength of provider endorsement.
- Persistent concerns about vaccine safety linger. You can help ease these fears.
- Messages encouraging vaccination to protect loved ones and resonate with many people.
Pregnant women should receive seasonal influenza vaccine Influenza can cause severe illness in pregnant women. Changes in the immune system, heart and lungs during pregnancy make pregnant women more prone to severe illness from influenza. There also is a risk of premature labor and delivery. Vaccination during pregnancy protects the mother and the infant up to 6 months old.
The influenza vaccine can be given to pregnant women in any trimester. Pregnant women should receive the inactivated vaccine (flu shot) but should NOT receive the live attenuated vaccine (nasal spray). Postpartum women, even if breastfeeding, can receive either type of vaccine.
Please encourage your pregnant/postpartum patients to get a flu shot. For more information, visit
cdc.gov/flu/professionals/vaccination/.
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