Should You Get A Flu Vaccine?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention all pregnant and breastfeeding women should be immunized against the flu this flu season. The CDC has set aside the week after Thanksgiving (November 27 – December 2) this year as National Influenza Vaccination Week.

The CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices states that, “Pregnant women are at risk for influenza complications, and all women who are pregnant or will be pregnant during influenza season should be vaccinated." The ACIP also recommends vaccination for all persons, including breastfeeding women, who are contacts of infants or children aged 59 months or less (i.e., less than 5 years), because infants and young children are at higher risk for influenza complications and are more likely to require medical care or hospitalization if infected. Breastfeeding does not affect the immune response adversely and is not a contraindication for vaccination.

For more information on the CDC’s National Influenza Vaccination Week see: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/nivw07.htm.

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