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IMAGE SOURCE: iStockphoto / mom and newborn / author: iDerLander
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Swine Flu Shot Too New
Pregnant woman are wary of the swine flu shot, according to a new survey.
The survey by Harris Interactive of 668 pregnant women and mothers of children under the age of two, shows only about one woman out of four plan to get the H1N1 or swine flu shot, despite recommendations to do so.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology both recommend pregnant women and new mothers be vaccinated.
That’s because pregnant women are up to four times more likely to be hospitalized for complications from swine flu compared to the general population, reports the CDC.
Though the reasons for that are uncertain, it is speculated that a reduction in lung capacity during pregnancy may make respiratory diseases more dangerous.
"With H1N1 being the dominant influenza virus circulating so far this year, it is vital that all pregnant women get their seasonal and H1N1 flu shots as soon as possible," says Ashley Roman, MD, clinical assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology at New York University School of Medicine and assistant clinical professor at Yale University, in a news release, reported by WebMD.
The CDC says pregnant women can get thimerosal-preserved or non-preserved vaccine and insists there is no evidence that thimerosal is harmful to a pregnant woman or fetus. Federal health officials repeatedly assure pregnant women despite the fact that the cause of the rising numbers of children with autism, now at one in 100, remains a mystery.
A single-dose vial will deliver a thimerosal-free form of the vaccine while multi-dose vials are preserved with the mercury-based preservative.
Pregnant women are not advised to get the live virus nasal spray, FluMist made by MedImmune, as it has not been tested in pregnant women.
Ironically, 43 percent of pregnant women would get and plan to get a seasonal flu shot but only 27 percent say the same about the swine flu shot. The CDC insists they are made the same way but with different seasonal viruses.
Not Tested
The main concern expressed – the swine flu shot had not been adequately tested.
The swine flu formulations were created this spring by five drug manufacturers after the swine flu was upgraded to a pandemic and federal health officials feared a dangerous flu season.
In July, President Obama and Congress earmarked $1.25 billion for the development of a swine flu vaccine, part of the $7.65 billion vaccination development program.
Three months later, the five formulations were made available and the federal government offered drug makers immunity from any liability under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP).
Pregnant women can:
Wash their hands with soap and water and often. An alcohol-based hand rub also kills the virus.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth.
Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
For a woman with the flu, the CDC recommends she receive Tamiflu, an antiviral, or Renenza, which prevent viruses from making more flu virus in your body.
The Harris Interactive survey was paid for by CSL Biotherapies, which produces one flu vaccine and carried out by the HealthyWomen and the Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses.
IB News wanted to know if that gives an appearance of a conflict of interest?
“Obviously they have an interest to make sure people understand complications from the flu,” said Marisa Rainsberger, media contact for the National Women’s Health Resource Center to IB News.
“We work with corporate partners to develop material. We are not promoting any product, we are interested in educating the public,” she continued.
The groups have launched a “Flu-Free and A Mom-to-Be Protect Yourself, Protect Your Baby – Get Your Flu Shots!” campaign. #