Children less than 5 are at higher risk than adults of being hospitalized for seasonal flu or complications, including pneumonia, dehydration, and worsening of preexisting heart disease, asthma, sinus problems, and ear infections. The CDC urges caregivers of infants to become vaccinated against influenza, but children less than 6 months cannot receive the vaccination themselves. Also, antiviral drugs used to treat and prevent flu are not recommended for children less than a year old. So what can a parent do to protect their infant who is less than six months?
A study conducted by colleagues from the Yale University of Medicine from 2000 to 2009 on seasonal flu vaccination found that prenatal vaccinations were effective in preventing flu hospitalization in infants. The effectiveness of influenza vaccine given to mothers during pregnancy in preventing hospitalization among their infants ages less than 6 months was 91.5%.
After trying to find conflicting studies, I was only able to find the H1N1 vaccine to risk complications with pregnancy and therefor got my seasonal vaccine at my local CVS. Seasonal flu vaccination is recommended for pregnant women who have completed their first trimester. I normally would not worry about Flu (I spent June and July of 2009 in Mexico), but I plan to travel with Graham before he is six months. Some of my vaccines will benefit him, either through my placenta while being in my womb (ending at about 6 months) or through my breast milk. Because of my antibodies, my breast milk will even help Graham defend against Chicken Pox! This extra immunity advantage is one reason why UNICEF and WHO suggest breastfeeding for two years.
No comments:
Post a Comment