Thank you for your question. Bruce, B. Dan, MD, our medical expert answers your question.

The CDC guidance for receiving the H1N1 influenza vaccine includes,
“people ages of 25 through 64 years of age who are at higher risk for 2009 H1N1
because of chronic health disorders or compromised immune systems. Anyone
with cancer and diabetes would certainly be included in that group.”

Thank you again for your question and for following Healthin30. If you have any further questions. please let us know.

Best,
Barbara

Thanks for question and concerns.

Dr. Bruce Dan addresses your question and concerns.

“You’ve actually done the best thing possible for yourself and your unborn child. The H1N1 vaccine is safe when given at anytime during pregnancy. More importantly when you’re pregnant you are at greater risk for serious illness if you contract H1N1 influenza, more likely to be admitted to a hospital, and more likely to die from the infection. When you get a flu shot it not only protects you from influenza but your baby as well. The antibodies your immune system produces in response to the flu shot cross the placenta and protect your baby after birth for several months, which is especially important since infants under 6 months of age who are not eligible to get the flu vaccine. Also good news is that breastfeeding passes antibodies to your newborn reducing the baby’s chance of getting the flu. It’s important to remember that the “flu shot” you got, a vaccine made with killed flu virus, is the one pregnant women should receive. The other flu vaccine, which is made with a live, weakened flu virus and given by nasal spray, is not approved for pregnant women.”

Please let us know if you have any further questions or concerns.
Best,
Barbara

Thanks for your question.

Dr. Bruce Dan answers your question:

“All single-dose syringes of H1N1 influenza vaccine including those for children and pregnant women are thimerosal-free, which addresses any concerns people may have about this preservative (inhaler spray vaccine products are also thimerosal-free). The only H1N1 vaccines that contain thimerosal are those that are produced in multi-dose vials (thimerosal is added to the vials to make them safer by preventing bacterial contamination when the vial is punctured multiple times giving the vaccine to multiple people). The pediatric scientific and medical community has looked carefully at thimerosal and determined that there is no evidence that it causes any harm.”

Best,
Barbara