The H1N1 Vaccine and Pregnant Women
I often wonder, “If I was pregnant, would I get the Swine flu vaccine?” So far, 28 women have died from H1N1. Another 100 have been sent to Intensive Care Units. Not many when compared to the population of the U.S., and the number of women who are pregnant at any given time, but even one death is too many. I wouldn’t want to put myself, or anyone I love in danger of getting a deadly virus that could have been prevented.
Pregnant women, and thousands of others in high risk groups, are waiting in long lines around the country to get the H1N1 vaccine, only to find supplies have run out. In Des Moines, Iowa, there’s now a waiting list for pregnant women so they bypass the lines, and get their shots faster. CDC officials say egg-based vaccine production has been slower than expected, so with demand up, many clinics and health departments are simply running out of supplies.
Health officials continue to warn expectant mothers of the risks of not getting the vaccine, but there are still some women who are skeptical. Many have heard about Thimerosol. It’s a component of some vaccines that contains mercury, blamed by vaccine opponents for causing Autism in children. That’s a claim health professionals say has not been proven through research. In any case, mercury-free seasonal flu vaccine is out there, and CDC officials say it will be available in limited supply for H1N1 Shots, too.
I have a good friend who is six months pregnant, and married to a doctor. Her husband advised her a few weeks ago, to head to her mom’s house in the mountains for a while. A sort of self-inflicted quarantine which she hoped would keep herself and her toddler from becoming infected until vaccines arrived. Now that the shots are here, doctors are being advised to counsel their patients about the potential dangers of foregoing the vaccine. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists released a statement last week urging doctors to talk with pregnant women about the risks not just to themselves, but for unborn children as well. Still, one in four women says they don’t plan on getting vaccinated despite warnings from health officials. Pregnant women are naturally at higher risk of catching all sorts of illnesses due to changes in their immune systems. The risks are higher later in pregnancy as the fetus pushes against the lungs making it more difficult to breathe. Several doctors have told me that deep breaths are necessary to fight off lung infections. So, my answer to the question I posed earlier? Would I get vaccinated? Yes. I will get vaccinated, as soon as H1N1 vaccine supplies are opened up to those of us lucky enough not to be in a high risk group.
Marianne Silber joined FNC in 2006 as a general assignment news correspondent, based in the Atlanta bureau. She has investigated if adult treatments are safe for children; covered the story on murdered pregnant Marine Maria Lauterbach; and reported on the much publicized Duke Lacrosse rape case. 
How you can you discuss it with your doctor?
1. There is no evidence based science that H1N1 vaccine prevents serious complication/death from H1N1.
2. There is no evidence based science that H1N1 vaccine prevents infection with H1N1.
3. There is no evidence based science that H1N1 vaccine is safe for fetuses.
4. There has been NO safety data released by any of the manufacturers of the H1N1 vaccine.
For that matter, there is no large randomized clinical trial on the influenza vaccine and whether it prevents death.
Marc Silberman, M.D.
Thimerosal free vaccine available, WHERE?? At least in Ohio, no one can answer a simple question about the supply at all, other than to say it is only a trace amount…25mcg is a trace amount! At best unacceptable misinformation and at worst an outright lie.
It’s not because of autism…I will not knowingly expose my unborn child to any form of mercury. No I do not eat fish, not that if I did it would be the same as injecting 25mcg of mercury.
If the thimerosal free single dose vaccine is available, and some moron can actually state that when asked at any county health department in my state, then I would be glad to get it. The real question is why is it not available and if it is, why the misinformation campaign?
With this disturbing article, I kind of remember Desiree Jennings: The cheerleader who got a “seasonal-jab” (not the 2009 H1N1 vaccine) but still got the biggest shock of her life – After 10 days diagnosed with an irreversible nerve-illness called “dystonia”.
Others, keep saying its a one and a million chance, but now that I am seeing article like this. I am thinking otherwise about the credibility of these “flu-vaccines”.
sources: Heart-breaking story of a cheerleader who received dystonia after taking a “flu-jab”
“If ain’t broke don’t fix it”
You bring important insight to such a highly profiled virus. Although after putting some thought into this decision I have declined to receive the vaccine. I get those stares and not to mention lectures from everyone who is concerned about the flu. I have chosen to decline the vaccine for many reasons, but the one that sold me was that there is just no guarantee either way. It is last years most popular flu strain so the effectiveness is just not worth the risks in my opinon. Virus’s mutate, and that is why they continue to create new ones….hence H1N1. The key word you mentioned was COULD have been prevented. Walgreens and other Propaganda is great in our country so we should try not to let the media sway our opinions. The media has been wrong many times so lets not start pointing our finger at just one virus that could have been prevented…because lets face it there are many other virus’s to worry about and we do not go running out for all of them because we are pregnant.
really?
Props to Marc Silberman, M.D. You can read any of the patient inserts http://www.ahrcanum.com and see for yourself the toxic ingredients and warnings. Do not buy into the WHO’s statement that the H1N1 Vaccine is safe in pregnancy or any other time for that matter!
I agree 100% with you . I am in my first trimester and was one of the first folks in NJ to get vaccinated with H1N1 . I will admit that I was fearful until I started doing my research and talking to the doctors.
I did have the seasonal flu during my last pregnancy and it was some of the most miserable 3 weeks of my entire existence as a human being. To say that it was bad would be an understatement. I was flat on my back, barely breathing and in a state of complete exhaustion at 6 months.
I would not wish that feeling on anyone-
This time around I got both the H1N1 and Seasonal flu vaccine. My local health department had a limited supply of thimerasol free vaccines available and I opted for that. However, after speaking with my doctors it doesn’t matter which vaccine you get as the mercury in a vaccine is less than the mercury in a can of tuna fish!!
If you are pregnant or in one of the “high risk” groups – don’t take the chance – if the flu doesn’t kill you it will probably make you sick enough that you will wish you would get better or just die.
Get over your fears and get the vaccine – just do it!
Iam pregnant and have a baby that is still waiting to be vaccinated. I don’t understand where this millions and millions of H1N1 vaccine distributed. Walgreens in our area dont have them yet. My baby’s pediatrician dont have them too. Even my OB dont have the vaccine yet . I have to call every 2-3 days if they received their shipment hmmmmmm
[...] The H1N1 Vaccine and Pregnant Women I often wonder, “If I was pregnant, would I get the Swine flu vaccine?” So far, 28 women have died from H1N1. [...] [...]
READ THE VACCINE DRUG INSERTS!
NOVARTIS INSERT:
8.1 Pregnancy: It is also not know whether these vaccines can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman or can affect reproduction capacity. Influenza A (H1N1) 2009 Monovalent Vaccine should be given to a pregnant woman only if clearly needed.
13 NONCLINICAL TOXICOLOGY
13.1 Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment of Fertility
Neither FLUVIRIN nor the Influenza A (H1N1) 2009 Monovalent Vaccine have been evaluated for carcinogenic or mutagenic potential, or for impairment of fertility.
WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS
If Guillain-Barré syndrome has occurred within 6 weeks of receipt of prior influenza vaccine, the decision to give Influenza A (H1N1) 2009 Monovalent Vaccine should be based on careful consideration of the potential benefits and risks. (5.1)
Evidence for a causal relation of GBS with subsequent vaccines prepared from other influenza viruses is unclear. If influenza vaccine does pose a risk, it is probably slightly more than 1 additional case/1 million persons vaccinated. Immunocompromised persons may have a reduced immune response to Influenza A (H1N1) 2009 Monovalent Vaccine. (5.2)
6.4 Other Adverse Reactions Associated with Influenza Vaccination
The 1976 swine influenza vaccine was associated with an increased frequency of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS).
FROM THE NOVARTIS INSERT: 8.1 Pregnancy: It is also not known whether these vaccines can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman or can affect reproduction capacity. Influenza A (H1N1) 2009 Monovalent Vaccine should be given to a pregnant woman only if clearly needed.
13 NONCLINICAL TOXICOLOGY
13.1 Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment of Fertility
Neither FLUVIRIN nor the Influenza A (H1N1) 2009 Monovalent Vaccine have been evaluated for carcinogenic or mutagenic potential, or for impairment of fertility.
WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS
If Guillain-Barré syndrome has occurred within 6 weeks of receipt of prior influenza vaccine, the decision to give Influenza A (H1N1) 2009 Monovalent Vaccine should be …
Thank you very much P.T for the link. I must say your story about the girl who take that “seasonal-vaccine” was really heartbreaking
Again, here’s the link: Heart-breaking story of a cheerleader who received dystonia after taking a “flu-jab”
highly informative yet shocking…
All in all, regardless of all the media hype and drug company perpetuated banter, the woman who wrote this article was posing a hypothetical question,”*IF* I was pregnant, would I receive the H1N1 vaccine?” Well guess what honey– seeing as you are not in fact pregnant, you really have no right to use the media as an influence where this vaccine and pregnancy are concerned. It’s like posing the question, “If I needed to chose between experimental wound treatment or amputation of a limb, what would I do?” Well Jesus, who WOULD know what decision they would make unless they were actually IN that situation? This article is just another schmuck capitalizing on the media driven fear mongering that has been disgustingly prevalent since this flu began. Shame on you Fox, you supposedly pride yourself on ’speaking the truth,’ and all this is is a cheap jab at folks looking for actual answers. DO YOUR HOMEWORK FOLKS, AND TURN THE TV OFF.
Wiser Together has a recent piece on why pregnant women should get an H1N1 vaccine and the best ways to go about it.
Being nine months pregnant and about to deliver I opted to get the vaccine because H1N1 has become sooooo bad in my area. As it is my only option for protecting my soon to be born child I felt it was needed. They won’t being giving newborns this vaccine. At least with me getting the vaccine he will get some protection, and I won’t be the mom crying and saying “If only…” when my newborn child is dying.