If you are pregnant and get the flu, you are more likely to get severe flu symptoms and develop flu-related complications that could affect your baby. If you are concerned with the preservative thimerosal, a mercury compound, thimerosal-free vaccines are available. Ask your healthcare provider about your options.

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), pregnant women are at higher risk for severe complications and death from influenza. About six percent of the confirmed fatal 2009 H1N1 cases so far have been pregnant women, while only one percent of the general population is pregnant. As a result, pregnant women are one of the five priority populations to receive the flu vaccine.

There are two types of vaccine. Pregnant women should receive the flu shot and not the nasal spray, as the nasal spray is not currently approved for use in pregnant women. Pregnant women and women who will be pregnant should receive the flu shot, which is an inactivated vaccine. These women should receive both the seasonal and H1N1 flu vaccine.

Breastfeeding women may have either the injectable vaccine made with an inactive form of the virus, or the nasal spray form of vaccine, made with the live, attenuated (weakened) form of the virus.

There is no evidence that thimerosal (used as a preservative in a vaccine packaged in multi-dose vials) is harmful to a pregnant woman, a fetus or a woman who is  breastfeeding, but thimerosal-free vaccine is available as an option.

In a recent survey, the vast majority of El Camino Hospital OB/GYN physicians in the South Bay area said they provide flu shots to their patients. Please contact your OB/GYN physician or your primary care physician to get your flu shots as soon as possible. Also, local drug stores and some grocery stores are distributing the flu shot this year.

For more information and to prevent your getting the flu, see our H1N1 (Swine) Flu FAQ and H1N1 Flu Resources.

If you do get the flu, see your healthcare professional as soon as possible.