Until recently, it was believed that any kind of flu vaccine was harmful to pregnant women and their unborn babies. New research disproved of these beliefs and came with irrefutable proof that flu vaccinations do not affect pregnant women and create later problems to children. Vaccination during pregnancy can save lives.
The study has based itself on the pandemic (H1N1) 2009 virus that infected 74 countries around the world. To counteract the infection, people received vaccines, especially those more vulnerable, such as younger children, people with chronic lung ailments and last, but not least, pregnant women. Researchers analyzed 104,249 children. Thirty-one thousand two hundred ninety-five of these children’s mothers had been vaccinated in 2009.
The results showed that these 31,295 children did not have a higher risk of cancer, infections, chronic diseases, hospital admissions, or death than the children whose mothers did not receive the vaccine. The study further inferred that children with vaccinated mothers had a lower risk of gastrointestinal infections than the others.
Flu Vaccine Not Dangerous For Pregnant Women
Flu, or influenza, is a very contagious virus that can cause fever, headache, cough, sore throat, runny nose, headaches and, more dangerous, vomiting. Pregnant women and infants are more likely to be affected to a greater extent than other people during periods of pandemics. Therefore, pregnant women are advised to get the vaccine to get protection.
Unfortunately, in recent years an anti-vaccination movement has spread all over Europe and North America. The anti-vaxxers, the name was given to people that see vaccination as a bad thing, actually start more pandemics than other people as they are more prone to infections.
This research is more important than others as it has taken into account the vaccine effects on the long term in infants. The results are reassuring for pregnant women and newborns.