Flu shots protect pregnant women women and their babies

The Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) encourages all pregnant women to get a yearly flu shot to protect themselves and their babies. The flu shot is safe for pregnant women and their babies and helps reduce the risk of premature labor, delivery, and serious illness in both mother and baby. Flu shots for pregnant women are now available at local health units, pharmacies and clinics statewide.
Flu vaccines for the general public will be available at ADH mass flu clinics beginning the week of Oct. 22. The mass flu clinic will be held Thursday, Oct. 25 at the Phillips County Health Unit in Helena.
Gary Wheeler, MD, ADH Infectious Disease Branch Chief said, “All pregnant women, regardless of how far along in the pregnancy, should get yearly flu shots to protect themselves and their babies from serious illness and death.”
“One recent study showed a 70 percent decrease in preterm deliveries during the flu season for moms who got their yearly flu shot,” Wheeler said. Because babies born prematurely are at much higher risk of death, it appears that the flu vaccine can help prevent many of these deaths.”
After receiving a flu shot, the mother's immunity to flu is safely passed to her unborn baby. Getting a flu shot during pregnancy is essential since babies cannot get the flu vaccine until they are six months old. Pregnant women should only get the flu shot. The nasal spray flu vaccine has not been approved for use in pregnant women.