Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Get your pregnant daughter a Flu Shot

A recent article called "Pregnant Mom's Flu Shot Protects Baby" was on U.S. New and World Report. The article summarizes a research study that supports the current thinking about flu shots for pregnant women: pregnant women SHOULD get a flu shot. The research study indicates that a flu shot help the pregnant woman avoid the flu and also helps protect her preborn child avoid the flu during the first 6 months after birth. Babies under the age of six months cannot get a flu shot. Your pregnant daughter should get a flu shot because "maternal influenza infection during pregnancy carries health risks for the mother and her offspring, including fetal malformation and even infant death. In fact, "childhood deaths associated with influenza are most frequent in infants under the age of 6 months," the authors noted."

So start researching where your pregnant daughter can get a flu shot this season. If you don't have insurance, see if any of your local pharmacies or public health offices will be offering the flu shot in their clinic.

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