Introduction
Flu (influenza) vaccination is recommended for pregnant women in the United States, as it can help protect both mother and baby from the flu virus. Pregnant women are at increased risk of severe illness from flu infection and can have serious complications related to it. Vaccinating during pregnancy can be done among all stages of pregnancy, with increasing evidence that even third trimester vaccination may be beneficial in providing some protection to infants before they are old enough to receive their own vaccine.
Women who are pregnant should speak with their doctor about getting a flu shot, as there may be certain precautions that need to be taken beforehand. A woman’s health care provider or pharmacist will likely have more information on where the vaccine can be obtained and what specific guidelines should be followed prior to receiving a vaccination during this state.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Immunization Action Coalition (IAC) are also good resources for information on getting a flu shot while pregnant.
What is the Flu Jab?
The Flu Jab is an inactivated flu vaccine that helps protect against 4-5 different strains of influenza. It is the safest and most effective way to protect yourself and your unborn baby from the flu during pregnancy. The vaccine helps to build up your immunity before the peak of winter when flu viruses are most likely to spread.
Unlike other vaccines, the Flu Jab does not need to be injected during each pregnancy. After you have received a single dose in any trimester, you will remain protected for up to one year with no need for a booster dose.
It is available free of charge on the NHS and can be requested from your GP or midwife at any time during pregnancy. The earlier in your pregnancy it’s taken, the better protection it offers both you and your unborn baby against disease. It will also help protect them after they are born until they receive their own vaccinations at 8 months old.
Your midwife or GP may advise additional experts (such as a pharmacist or asthma nurse) to give a flu jab if they are available in your area or if there’s any reason why they feel it would benefit you more than having it from them directly.
Why is the Flu Jab Important for Pregnant Women?
The influenza (flu) vaccine is an important part of protecting your health before, during and after pregnancy. The flu can cause more serious illnesses in pregnant women than in women who are not pregnant. Pregnant women are also more likely to be hospitalized if they get the flu. That’s why it’s so important to get your flu shot.
Pregnant women may be more likely than non-pregnant women to experience complications from the flu, such as pneumonia or hospitalization. Getting a flu shot may help protect you and your baby from serious complications related to the virus. It can also reduce the risk of miscarriage or preterm labor. The potential danger increases with each trimester; therefore, it is recommended that pregnant women receive the vaccine as soon as possible during the pregnancy. It’s also important for pregnant mothers-to-be to receive their second dose two weeks after getting their first dose before entering the second trimester of their pregnancy (after 13 weeks & 6 days).
Pregnant individuals should consider getting their vaccination at a doctor’s office or clinic, as some immunization centers do not provide vaccinations for pregnant individuals due to special instructions that must be followed when administering them to expecting mothers. Additionally, pregnant individuals should bring documentation of their pregnancy with them when receiving the flu shot since there are some precautions surrounding administering vaccines while prenatal.
Where to Get the Flu Jab When Pregnant
When you’re pregnant, getting your flu jab is essential in order to keep you and your baby safe from the virus. It is recommended by the NHS that all pregnant women get the flu jab to protect themselves and their unborn child. Knowing where to get it can be difficult, but luckily there are a few options available. We’ll look at the different places you can get your flu jab when pregnant in this article.
The places you can get your flu jab when pregnant include:
- Your GP
- Your local pharmacy
- Midwife-led clinics
- Community clinics
GP Surgery
Getting a flu jab while pregnant is crucial, to protect yourself and your unborn baby. Moreover, pregnant women are more likely to get a serious case of flu and other flu-related illnesses. To ensure that you and your unborn baby stay safe and healthy during pregnancy, it is important to get the free NHS Flu Jab.
One place that you can get the free NHS Flu Jab when pregnant is at your local GP Surgery. When booking an appointment for the jab, it may be helpful to mention that you would like it in relation to your pregnancy. Some surgeries may be able to provide you with limited stock of the vaccine, but if not they should be able to refer you elsewhere. While each surgery may have slightly different methods of making appointments, there should be an option for:
- Booking in advance
- Getting an emergency appointment on the day/weekend where possible too.
The Flu Jab given in GP Surgery is available at any stage of pregnancy and will be offered as either an injection into the upper arm or as a nasal spray depending on both your individual needs and clinical judgement from the medical staff present. The injection into the upper arm is most commonly used during pregnancy due to its safety record and ease of administering efficiently for those with multiple patient appointments on their list for vaccination on any particular day/time.
Pharmacy
Vaccination is the best way to protect yourself and your baby from the flu. Pregnant women should get the flu vaccine as soon as it become available each year, ideally in September or October.
Getting a flu jab at a pharmacy is quick and convenient. Most pharmacies offer the jab, usually for free if you’re over 65 years of age, under 16 years of age, pregnant or have certain medical conditions. In some cases there may be a small fee for administering the vaccine.
When visiting your local pharmacy to get the flu jab make sure you take identification that shows you are pregnant or have one of the medical conditions which entitle you to free vaccination – such as your maternity exemption card if available. Some pharmacies are able to check your patient history electronically with their NHS supplier – however this may not always be possible so it is best to have documentation just incase.
You also need to make sure that you inform the pharmacist when making an appointment if you are taking any medications, have any allergies or have had any reactions after receiving vaccinations in the past as this might affect them being able to give you the vaccine safely. The pharmacist conducting your vaccination should explain what happens during and after the immunisation process but do not hesitate to ask for further information or clarification if necessary before going ahead with receiving it.
Private Clinic
A pregnant woman can visit a private clinic to obtain the flu jab. Private clinics offer a variety of services, including family planning, immunizations and more. Depending on the clinic, they may also offer in-house travel vaccines and other additional medications. Most private clinics have the influenza vaccine available for pregnant women who wish to be vaccinated against the flu virus – typically during autumn/winter months.
When visiting a private clinic for the flu jab, it is important that you check with their local policies on frequency and requirements for receiving the vaccine. Generally, clinics are willing to vaccinate both pregnant women and their partners or people living in their household when appropriate. Some clinics require prescribed information from your doctor before administering a vaccine in order to ensure that it is medically safe for you or your partner/family members to receive it.
Once you have verified that you are eligible to receive an influenza vaccination at the private clinic of your choice, they will likely provide you with the necessary paperwork related to their policy regarding vaccinations as well as information about potential side effects of receiving a flu shot while pregnant. It is recommended that prior to receiving a vaccination, you consult with your healthcare provider before making any decisions regarding immunizations during pregnancy – they will be able to inform you on what vaccines are safe for expectant mothers and answer any questions/concerns that may arise after obtaining them (if any).
Conclusion
In conclusion, for pregnant women, getting the flu jab is an essential part of protecting their health and that of their unborn baby from the risks posed by influenza. The CDC recommends that women who are or will be pregnant during the influenza season should get a flu shot as soon as it becomes available.
For most adults, the flu vaccine is available at healthcare providers’ offices, as well clinics and pharmacies. To ensure that you have access to the most up-to-date information on where to get a flu jab when pregnant, check with your local health department or healthcare provider. Vaccinations are usually covered by insurance or Medicaid so be sure to inquire about options before you go to get your shot.
It is important to protect yourself and your unborn child from any potential harm caused by this dangerous virus – so make sure you get vaccinated!
