H1N1 flu shot is safe for the mother as well as the baby growing inside her.
H1N1 vaccinations have been proved to lower risk of stillbirths and premature births, according to results published by team of Canadian researchers. The study titled, H1N1 Influenza Vaccination During Pregnancy and Fetal and Neonatal Outcomes, has since been published in the American Journal of Public Health. The study supports the use of vaccines in pregnant women who are more susceptible to the virus.
Aim: The goal of the study was to analyze and evaluate the relationship between maternal H1N1 vaccinations and fetal and neonatal health among singleton birth during 2009-2010 H1N1 pandemic.
Methods: The study used a population based perinatal database in Ontario, Canada. The research team examined:
- Preterm birth – PTB
- Small for gestational age – SGA
- 5-minute Apgar score below 7
- Fetal death via multivariable regression
The outcomes were compared between women who received H1N1 flu vaccination during pregnancy and those who did not.
Results:
- 23 340 (42%) mothers received H1N1 vaccinations during pregnancy from among the 55 570 mothers evaluated.
- Vaccinated mothers were a third less likely to give birth to a stillborn baby.
- A third was less likely to give birth before 32 weeks (preterm).
- A fifth was less likely to have small babies.
- There were no side effects for vaccinated mothers or their babies around birth.
- The researchers would continue to observer the children to see if the vaccinations would have long-term effects.
Conclusions: Results indicate that fetal and neonatal health/outcomes were better when H1N1 vaccination was taken in the second or third trimester. Moreover, the vaccine did not harm the fetus in any way. Another significant finding in the study was that it related maternal flu vaccination to stillbirth. This is a very rare finding and this may the only study large enough to bring out the relation.
