- If you are pregnant - read the information and advice below
ARE YOU PREGNANT? HAVE YOU GIVEN BIRTH IN THE LAST 6 WEEKS?
The HSE is encouraging pregnant women to avail of the Swine Flu vaccine to protect themselves and their unborn baby during their pregnancy. While rates of swine flu have dropped from the peak seen in late 2009, we are still seeing cases, and want to be prepared for a possible second or later wave of infection - as was experienced in previous pandemics.
Pregnant women have a reduced immune system during pregnancy and this reduces further as the pregnancy progresses. They are more at risk of developing complications from swine flu than other people and they are four times more likely to be admitted to hospital with complications, including early labour or severe pneumonia. The risk of these complications is higher after 14 weeks of pregnancy. Since the pandemic began 45 pregnant women have been treated in hospital for swine flu which accounts for 6-8% of hospital admissions with swine flu. One pregnant woman has died from Swine Flu in Ireland.
It is important also to be protected from swine flu in the weeks after giving birth to ensure the mother is able to adequately mind her baby. The newborn baby will have antibodies passed from the mother in the womb which will offer the infant protection from the virus for up to six months.
The Institute of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists in Ireland, the National Immunisation Advisory Committee, the World Health Organisation and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, the Irish College of General Practitioners and the Irish Medical Organisation recommend that pregnant women get the vaccine.
There are two Swine Flu vaccines licensed for use in Ireland, Pandemrix and Celvapan. While there are differences between the vaccines as to how they are manufactured and their ingredients, both have been licensed for use by the European Medicines Agency and the Irish Medicines Board. Both are considered equally safe, based on evidence, for use in pregnancy, in the six weeks after delivery and for breastfeeding mothers.
Pregnant women should contact their GP to make an appointment to receive a Swine Flu vaccine. GPs are the best place for this at-risk group to get their vaccine and both the visit to the GP and the vaccine are free of charge. If your GP is not giving out the vaccine, they can give you details of vaccine clinic locations or you will find them on the website. View list of clinics and make an online booking here. Remember to bring your PPS number with you when attending your GP for the vaccination.
Those in the at-risk groups will also be accommodated at HSE clinics on a walk-in basis although the HSE is advising pre-booking an appointment where at all possible.
Many Maternity Hospitals around the country are also offering the vaccination to in-patients and women attending ante natal visits if they have not already received it through their GP or HSE vaccination clinic.
Pregnant women should contact their GP by phone if they have flu-like symptoms. Their GP will assess them and prescribe anti-viral treatment (Tamiflu) if required.
READ FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS BELOW, along with links to other relevant sites
What is Swine Flu?
Swine Flu is a new flu virus that, for most people, has caused mild to moderate illness. However, some people, including pregnant women, have been hit harder by this flu, and some have died. Most people have no immunity to the Swine Flu virus so, the HSE is providing a free vaccine to protect against swine flu.
Who is getting the vaccine first?
Everyone will be offered the Swine Flu vaccine, but we have given the first supplies to those who are more at risk from Swine Flu. Healthcare workers are being vaccinated to protect themselves and their patients. Children and older people are also being offered the vaccine at the moment.
Who is most at risk?
The people most at risk and being vaccinated first include:
- All pregnant women from 14 weeks pregnant to 6 weeks after giving birth
and
- Pregnant women under 14 weeks pregnant who also have one of these conditions:
- Long-term Lung Disease (like Asthma and Cystic Fibrosis)
- Long-term Heart Disease
- Long-term Kidney Disease
- Long-term Liver Disease
- Long-term Neurological Disease (like MS, Cerebral Palsy)
- Immunosuppression e.g. cancer treatment (and their household contacts)
- Haemoglobinopathies
- Diabetes
- Morbid Obesity (check with your GP)
Why should pregnant women get the Swine Flu vaccine?
Pregnant women are at higher risk of complications from Swine Flu, including early labour or severe pneumonia. The risk of these complications is higher after 14 weeks into the pregnancy and is greater for those pregnant women with the at risk medical conditions listed above. The vaccine will prevent pregnant women from getting this flu.
Will vaccinating a mother during pregnancy protect her baby?
Vaccination during pregnancy will provide protection to herself during her pregnancy and her baby. It will also ensure that the mother will not get Swine Flu after the baby is born. The vaccine will protect the baby for up to six months after their birth.
Is it safe for pregnant women to be vaccinated?
Yes. Like seasonal flu vaccines, which have been used for more than 60 years, the Swine Flu vaccine is safe to use in pregnancy. The vaccines are fully licensed, serious side effects are very rare and the Swine Flu vaccine cannot give you Swine Flu.
Is the vaccine safe if I'm breastfeeding?
Yes the vaccine is safe for breastfeeding mothers and their babies.
What is Thiomersal and is it safe?
Thiomersal in an ingredient in the Pandemrix Swine Flu vaccine and, yes, it is safe. It is used to stop vaccines becoming contaminated. It is a mercury based preservative which been used in medical products and vaccines for more than 60 years.
Thiomersal is broken down in the body and one of the products is ethyl mercury. It appears that ethyl mercury is being confused with methyl mercury and therefore is presumed to have the same toxicity as methyl mercury despite it being a different compound.
There is no evidence that ethyl mercury in vaccines has any adverse effects apart from the minor reactions such as swelling and redness at the site of injection. Everybody in the population (including pregnant women) is expected to be exposed to small amounts of methyl mercury via food, especially fish. Vaccination is not a significant source of mercury at an individual level, and the benefits of uncontaminated vaccine are very considerable.
What is Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS)?
Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) is a nerve condition that can result in temporary paralysis and was seen in some people who received another type of Swine Flu vaccine in 1976. Studies have shown since then that GBS may occur very rarely with flu vaccinations - about one case for every million people vaccinated. More recent studies have shown us that the risk of getting GBS as a result of having the flu itself is actually much greater. There is also evidence that the vaccine protects against GBS.
Is there anyone who cannot get Swine Flu vaccine?
Vaccine should not be given to children under 6 months of age, and should be postponed if you have a temperature over 38ºC. Everyone in the at-risk groups aged over 6 months and under 65 years should get the vaccine - unless they have a severe allergy to eggs or other substances in the vaccine or have previously had Guillain Barré Syndrome. If you have any of these allergies or concerns you can discuss them with your GP, vaccine clinic staff or Maternity Hospital.
Does everyone need to get the vaccine?
If you have had flu since April, you should still get the vaccine, as it may not have been the Pandemic H1N1 2009 or Swine Flu virus. If you have had a confirmed positive lab test for Swine Flu or Pandemic H1N1 2009, you do not need the vaccine.
How long does it take the vaccine to work?
The vaccine starts to work within two weeks, so please ensure that you continue to follow good infection control after being vaccinated. If you cough or sneeze - Catch It in a tissue, Bin It and Kill It by washing your hands with soap and water.
Do I need one or two doses of vaccine?
There are two different makes of vaccine being used in Ireland; Pandemrix (manufactured by GSK) and Celvapan (manufactured by Baxter).
For the Pandemrix vaccine, one dose of the vaccine will be enough to protect most people from Swine Flu. The only exception to this is people with immunosuppression who will require two doses of this vaccine. Immunosuppressed people would include people with cancer or on cancer treatment. Check with your GP if you are unsure.
For the Celvapan vaccine, 2 doses of vaccine are required to give full protection from Swine Flu. Both vaccines are considered to be equally effective and have the same safety profile.
Where a second dose of vaccine is needed, it should be given after a gap of at least three weeks or longer. If you need a second dose of vaccine, the HSE will let you know when it is available and invite you to attend to get it.
What can I expect after vaccination?
The most common side effects will be mild and may include soreness, redness or swelling where the injection was given. Headache, fever, aches and tiredness may occur. Some people may have mild sweating and shivering as their immune system responds to the vaccine, but this is not Swine Flu and will pass after a day or so. Severe or life threatening allergic reactions to vaccines are very rare.
What if I don't feel well after vaccination?
If you have a temperature after the vaccine, take paracetamol, as it is safe in pregnancy, and it's important for you and your baby to avoid fever. Do not take ibuprofen or aspirin (unless advised by your obstetrician). Remember if you are unwell after getting a vaccine, it could be for some other reason - don't assume it's the flu vaccine and take medical advice if needed.
Do I have to pay for the vaccine?
The vaccine and it's administration are free of charge for everyone. You may be asked for your PPSN (Personal Public Service Number) when you go to have your vaccine.
If it’s a mostly mild illness, why vaccinate so many people?
First of all, it’s a mild illness for most people, but not for everyone. Getting the vaccine protects you, and pregnant women have been 4 times more at risk of swine flu complications than others. Getting the vaccine protects a person from swine flu, but it also protects the people around them, as they won't get flu and pass it on to their children, elderly relatives, or someone close to them who is not in full health.
So, the more people that get the vaccine, the less flu gets passed around. Even though rates of flu among adults have reduced over recent weeks, in previous pandemics, we have seen waves of infection over time, and want to safeguard the people at risk from this possibility.
The swine flu vaccine is the best tool we have to prevent this illness.
Talk to your GP or Maternity Hospital and make an appointment for a Swine Flu Vaccine now.
To book a visit to a HSE Clinic for your vaccine, find a list of HSE Vaccine Clinics here.
Read more information about Vaccine Safety here.
Last updated on: 16 / 01 / 2010