Flu vaccine improves maternal and fetal outcomes

New research confirms that the flu vaccine improves outcomes for both Mom and baby. During the 2009 - 2010 flu season at Duke University, statistics were available on 1,641 women who were delivering babies. Women who had flu vaccines had their babies later and with higher birth weight.

• Women who had the flu vaccine had their babies at 38.3 weeks and the babies weighed an average of 3,178 grams
• Women who did not have the flu vaccine had their babies at 36.8 weeks and the babies weighed an average of 2,903 grams.

Additionally, women who had the flu vaccine were less likely to require a postpartum hospital visit or admission

• 39% of women who had the flu vaccine required a postpartum hospital visit or admission
• 44% of women who did not have the flu vaccine required a postpartum hospital visit or admission

"This information supports prior accumulating data that receipt of a flu vaccine improves not only maternal outcomes, but also birth outcomes," Dr. Kimberly Fortner said at the annual meeting of the Infectious Diseases Society for Obstetrics and Gynecology. The individuals whose information was used in the study were diverse:

• 31.5% black
• 31.5% white
• 25% Hispanic
• 7% Asian/Pacific Islander
• 5% other

The bottom line is that as doctors recommend, absent factors that make it unsafe, expecting moms should receive the flu vaccines. (Source: Family Practice News) More on pregnancy and the flu vaccine Expecting moms who have flu vaccine have lower preterm birth rates Pregnancy and the flu vaccine