It may seem strange to be discussing the flu vaccine in the summer, but if you are pregnant right now… guess what? Yes, if you got pregnant after January of this year you will be giving birth during flu season (Oct. 1 – May 31.)
As if being pregnant isn’t enough hardship on your body, can you imagine also battling with the flu? It’s a scary thought. It’s even scarier to imagine your baby having to suffer with it.
However, there is really good news that was just released for pregnant women. Recent studies show that pregnant women who get a flu vaccine may be less likely to give birth to a premature baby, or to deliver a child with a low birth weight.
The study was conducted by researcher Saad B. Omer, of the Emory University Rollins School of Public Health in Atlanta. His study showed that women who received a flu vaccine during flu season were 40% less likely to have a premature birth than the women who did not receive the vaccination. The flu vaccine helps prevent respiratory infections associated with the flu, which are associated with increased risk of premature birth and low birth weight.
“When faced with the decision to receive the influenza vaccine in pregnancy women often focus on perceived risks of the vaccine to the fetus and do not consider benefits,” says Omer. 
“Influenza vaccine has been administered for decades to pregnant women and has a strong safety record. In this paper, for the first time, we document a protective effect of the vaccine on the fetus and the newborn.”
The percentage of women who benefit from the vaccination also increases in relation to how severe the flu has become and how widely it has spread. For example, during the eight weeks of the most widespread influenza activity, the risk of premature birth was about 70% lower among vaccinated mothers compared with mothers who did not receive the flu vaccine during pregnancy.
A study conducted during the pandemic Asian flu in the late 1950’s found that newborn babies of women affected by the flu were 50% more likely to be premature than those who did not contract the virus.
The best method of prevention is still getting a flu-shot. However, the shot only protects you against specific strains. If you have already contracted the flu, Tamiflu will lessen both the symptoms and the duration of the flu no matter what strain you become infected with, and it is also safe to take Tamiflu even if you have already received a flu-vaccination.
We specialize in providing our over 1,000,000 customers with relevant product and condition information created by our professional editorial staff which includes our team of medical writers, medical practitioners, and health educators. eDrugStore.com Staff on Facebook