Aloha … from BethC'The benefits outweigh the risks'
Pregnant women should get vaccinated for H1N1
After 25 years caring for area residents,
Dr. William Minsinger retires from Gifford
RANDOLPH, Oct. 6, 2009 – “The benefits of vaccination and treatment for pregnant women outweigh the risks” was the take-away message from a free talk on the H1N1 flu virus and pregnancy and breastfeeding held Monday at Gifford Medical Center.
Gifford Ob/Gyn and Midwifery Chairwoman Dr. Ellamarie Russo-DeMara led the discussion, which encouraged pregnant women during any stage of pregnancy and those who are breastfeeding or caring for babies under age 6 months to get both seasonal and H1N1 vaccines when they are available.
Pregnant women were also encouraged to call their providers’ offices if they have flu symptoms, such as fever accompanied by a sore throat or a cough. Pregnant women exposed to the flu or who come down with the illness should also be prescribed the antiviral medication Tamiflu, ideally within 48 hours of their symptoms occurring to help prevent a severe case of the flu or its complications. Pregnant women are asked to seek urgent medical attention if their symptoms worsen, return or if they have a fever lasting longer than three days or respiratory distress.
H1N1 has led to secondary infections, such as pneumonia, in pregnant women and serious consequences have resulted during the initial outbreak of H1N1 earlier this year, including early labor, miscarriage and even death.
The information is scary to hear, Dr. Russo-DeMara said, but also vitally important for pregnant women to know for their sake and that of their unborn babies.
“When we think about pregnant women, we think about healthy, young women,” Dr. Russo-DeMara said. But, “pregnant women are considered a high risk population and a priority for the vaccination. Pregnant women are at increased risk for a more severe case of the flu and complications. Vaccination and breast feeding is a way of passing immunity to their unborn or newborn who cannot receive the vaccine until after 6 months of age.”
In attendance at the Monday talk were a handful of pregnant women as well as breastfeeding women and one grandmother expecting to care for her young grandchildren.
The group peppered Dr. Russo-DeMara and a panel of Gifford health care professionals – Medical Director and pediatrician/internal medicine physician Dr. Josh Plavin, Certified Nurse Midwife Tanya Waters and infection control specialist Thom Goodwin – with a myriad of detailed questions primarily about who should get vaccinated and the risks.
Waters explained that the H1N1 vaccine has the exact same components – except the H1N1 “identifier” – as the seasonal flu vaccines. Eleven studies published between 1964 and 2008 about the safety of seasonal flu shots during pregnancy found no identified maternal or fetal problems with the vaccine.
“I feel pretty reassured by that,” Waters said.
The participants also expressed thanks for the talk and for the clear direction provided.
The first shipment of H1N1 vaccine arrived Monday at Gifford. It is the “live” attenuated mist form and not licensed for use in pregnant women. A second shipment of the inactive H1N1 vaccine injections is expected later in the month.
Vaccine for both H1N1 and the seasonal flu is available through patients’ health care providers’ offices. Because manufacturers have transitioned to making the H1N1 vaccine, seasonal flu vaccine is only available in limited supply for the highest risk patients.
H1N1 vaccine availability will be determined by when and in what quantity hospitals are supplied the drug by the state. Pregnant women will be among the first to be vaccinated.
Gifford maintains a flu line, (802) 728-2600, with updates on vaccine availability and steps all can take to prevent spreading the flu, including washing your hands with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer regularly; avoiding touching your eyes, nose and mouth; disinfecting commonly used items like door knobs and phones; sneezing or coughing into your sleeve or a tissue; and staying home when you are sick, specifically until 24 hours after your fever has subsided without the aid of a fever-reducing medication like Tylenol.
One option for breastfeeding women who get the flu is to pump their breast milk and have a healthy family member feed their baby, Gifford health care providers noted.
Much more information about the flu is available online through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at www.flu.gov www.flu.gov or www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/ www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/. Both links and more information are also provided on this Web site.
Gifford Ob/Gyn and Midwifery also has patient handouts with detailed information for pregnant and breastfeeding women available. Call the office at (802) 728-2401.