The ‘R’ is back in the month, which means our immunity is starting to wane and the chance of catching the flu is increasing. Every year, about 1 in 15 people gets the flu. This includes people who don’t have any symptoms.
And as a pregnant woman, you’d really rather avoid that! What can you do about it? Basically, there are a few things you can keep in mind to support your immune system:
- A healthy diet, especially fruits and vegetables rich in vitamin C
- Enough sleep
- Regular exercise
- Try to avoid (chronic) stress as much as possible
- Wash your hands regularly
With a strong immune system, your body is better able to fight off disease-causing bacteria and viruses.
The flu virus
The flu is caused by the influenza virus. It is a contagious respiratory illness. There are many different types of flu viruses. These flu viruses are constantly changing. Work on developing the flu vaccine begins in the spring. Experts then assess which flu viruses are likely to circulate worldwide during the winter. Particles of these flu viruses are included in the flu vaccine. The flu shot only protects against the flu virus contained in the vaccine. Sometimes the flu virus is different than expected, or a different flu virus is predominant. In such cases, the flu shot is less effective, but it still provides protection against severe illness caused by the flu.
Flu Shot for Pregnant Women
After receiving the flu shot during pregnancy, the pregnant woman’s body produces antibodies against the flu virus. Nutrients and antibodies, among other things, are exchanged through the placenta. This is how the antibodies against the flu virus are also passed on to the baby. The baby is then 35% less likely to get the flu in the first few months after birth than babies born to unvaccinated mothers. The pregnant woman herself is also protected. She is about 50% less likely to get the flu than an unvaccinated pregnant woman. If the baby or the pregnant woman does get the flu, the infection is usually mild, and you or the baby are less likely to be hospitalized.
Safety
In Europe, 28 countries have long recommended that all pregnant women get vaccinated against the flu. Various studies in these countries show that administering the flu vaccine to pregnant women does indeed have a positive effect and can be done safely.
For which pregnant women?
All pregnant women who are 22 weeks or more pregnant between October 1 and December 31 can contact their primary care physician directly to receive a free flu shot.
Watch the video! Flu Vaccination – The Midwife (KNOV)
If you'd like to read more, you can find information at: https://www.rivm.nl/griep-griepprik/griepprik/griepprik-tijdens-zwangerschap
