By Julie Stachowiak, PhD
Multiple Sclerosis Guide; Guest blogger
There has been quite a bit of attention to ensuring that pregnant women receive the H1N1 vaccine, as this group is at very high risk of complications from this virus (including death). However, pregnant women are NOT advised to get the nasal mist version of the vaccine, as it contains live, weakened (attenuated) virus. [Note: The live attenuated vaccine has not specifically been shown to cause problems in pregnant women, it has just not been studied, whereas the injectible vaccine has been evaluated for safety and effectiveness in pregnant women.] Since the injectible form of the vaccine was a little delayed getting out to all people at high risk who needed it, many of these pregnant women had their babies while they were waiting, putting them in a new category - healthy adults caring for infants under 6 months old.
The good news is that these women (once they have given birth) are eligible for the nasal mist version of the vaccine, according to the CDC, although the injectible vaccine is becoming more readily available.
It's wise to get vaccinated if you are caring for a young infant for so many reasons, the biggest one being to protect your child from catching the virus from you if you would happen to get infected. I also cannot imagine taking care of a new baby while dealing with flu symptoms, as new-parent early days come with their own share of exhaustion, bleary eyes and general dysfunction, if I recall my own experience accurately.
One bonus feature of getting vaccinated is that some antibodies might be passed along in breast milk, giving your baby a kind of passive vaccine, although opinions on this seem to differ.
