Experts say vaccine safe in pregnancy

[Posted: Sat 24/10/2009 by Niall Hunter, Editor]

The Irish Institute of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists has stressed that the swine flu vaccine is safe for pregnant women.

The advice comes as a pregnant women is reported to be in a serious condition in intensive care in hospital with swine flu. To date, nine people in Ireland have died from swine flu.

In a statement, the Institute said no concerns had been raised regarding the seasonal flu vaccine in pregnancy over many years of use and a similar safety profile with the H1N1 vaccine is anticipated.

It said evidence suggests that pregnant women are four times more likely to develop serious complications or to be hospitalised from swine flu than non-pregnant women. These include early labour or severe pneumonia.

The risk of these complications is higher after 14 weeks of pregnancy and for pregnant women who are at risk of medical complications.

The Institute says it has been shown that vaccination is the best way to prevent swine flu and its potential complications and confers passive immunity for up to six months for the newborn baby.

It added that it is generally agreed nationally and internationally that potential complications associated with swine flu in pregnancy far outweigh any possible risks associated with vaccination in pregnancy.

The swine flu vaccination campaign is due to officially begin on November 2. Some GPs are beginning to administer the vaccine already, as supplies come in, but it is likely to be another week before widespread vaccination of the first designated at-risk group begins in GP surgeries.

Initially, the vaccine is being given to people aged between six months and 65 years who have chronic conditions, in addition to women who are more than 14 weeks pregnant.

Women who are under 14 weeks pregnant and have chronic conditions are also being targeted for the vaccine.

At this stage, those in the designated at-risk group are being advised to contact their GP to see if they can administer the vaccine to them.

The HSE is also planning to set up special clinics to administer the vaccine.

Following vaccination of the initial at-risk group, all children, over 65s and health care workers will be targeted in the vaccine campaign.

By the end of the year, the campaign is expected to move to the general population.

Read more on this here