Flu Vaccine May Reduce Premature Birth Risk
Pregnant Women Who Get Flu Vaccine Also Less Likely to Have Low Birth Weight Baby, Researchers Say
By Jennifer Warner
WebMD Health News
May 31, 2011 — Pregnant women who get a flu vaccine during flu season may be less likely to have a premature birth or deliver a baby of low birth weight.
A new study shows that women who received a flu vaccine during pregnancy and delivered during the flu season were 40% less likely to have a premature birth than were unvaccinated mothers. In addition, pregnant women who received a flu vaccine and gave birth during a period of widespread flu activity were less likely to have a baby with low birth weight.
Researchers say respiratory infections during pregnancy, such as influenza and influenza-related pneumonia, are associated with an increased risk of premature birth and low birth weight. Vaccination with a flu vaccine during pregnancy protects the mother and the infant from the most common viruses that cause influenza.
