The Importance of Flu Shot During Pregnancy: Free Online Meeting for Expectant Parents

Region – The flu season is around the corner again. Anyone can get the flu, including newborn babies. They have a higher risk of serious consequences of the flu, such as hospitalization. If the mother gets the flu shot during pregnancy, the baby is less likely to get the flu right from birth. GGD Hollands Noorden offers a free online meeting on this theme.

In the Netherlands, an estimated ten to fifteen percent of all newborn babies get the flu every year. Every year, approximately three hundred of them develop such serious complaints that they have to be admitted to hospital. Ten to twenty babies a year even end up in intensive care. Pregnant women with flu are admitted to hospital more often than non-pregnant women of the same age.

Flu shot during pregnancy

A pregnant vaccinated woman has half a percent lower risk of flu than unvaccinated women. The flu shot also reduces the chance of becoming seriously ill from the flu. The pregnant woman produces antibodies that she passes on to her baby. This way the baby is protected from birth. Babies born to vaccinated mothers are about 35 percent less likely to get the flu than babies born to unvaccinated mothers. The chance that they will be admitted to hospital due to flu is also 70 percent lower.

Flu shot safety

Almost all countries in Europe and many beyond have been vaccinating pregnant women against flu for years. This means we know that flu vaccination during pregnancy is safe for the pregnant woman and the baby. Vaccination during pregnancy does not lead to complications or other negative consequences for the pregnancy or the baby.

Flu shot is now available for free

You can get the flu shot from 22 weeks of pregnancy until the end of your pregnancy. The flu shot will be offered until March 1, 2024, because the flu season will then end. Do you have a medical condition? You will then automatically receive an invitation for the flu shot from your doctor. You can then get the flu shot earlier in your pregnancy.

Online meeting ‘Vaccinations during pregnancy’ for expectant parents

Do you or your partner want to know more about this subject? Sign up here for our free online meeting ‘Vaccinations during pregnancy’ on Tuesday evening, November 7.

2023-10-21 17:00:00
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