Flu Shot

[jaetee]

How many of you moms-to-be are planning to get a flu shot? Does anyone know if the flu shots in HK are mercury-free or not?

Thanks.

 

[woodk6]

I'm 12 weeks and I got a flu shot from my GP. It's advised in the books I got from the US (Mayo Clinic) but I do not know about the mercury. The nurse who gave it to me just asked if I was allergic to eggs and any other antibiotics. Hope that helps!

 

[Sleuth]

It won't be called mercury, I beliee the preservative with the mercury is thimerosol (sp?). I also think that it is in the flu vaccine in the US.
And they have pretty much debunked the mercury-autism link, if that is the underlying concern.

 

[jaetee]

bump please - still wondering if it is the norm to get a flu shot in HK.

thanks.

 

[bekyboo44]

If you are planning to get a flu shot I would advise getting one as soon as the clinics get their new batch in; I tried to get a flu shot around November last year and I couldn't find one single private clinic that still had them available, they'd used all their batches up.
I believe if you are pregnant you are considered a 'priority' and so would get one under the govt. system. Pregnant women are advised to have a flu shot if they are going to be pregnant between October- March. (what I read).

 

[jaetee]

So do most pregnant women get the flu vaccine? I am just curious if the geobaby members believe in getting the flu shot - I am so confused what to do.

 

[kashismum]

I received a notice of flu shots being given in the community and it said that pregnant women should NOT have the jab? I'll ask my OB/GYN next week when I visit.

 

[Sleuth]

WebMD is all for it, but I thought the shot depended on how preganant you were during the flu season. We skipped on it last year.

CDC also recommends it, I must be imagining that we didn't do it.

http://www.cdc.gov/search.do?action=search&queryText=pregnancy+and+flu+shot&image.x=12&image.y=7

http://www.cdc.gov/flu/

 

[carang]

i didn't have a shot during either of my pregnancies...

both were from july-feb/march (1st was 3 weeks early.... don't know what this one will be)

 

[Sleuth]

I had my flu shot yesterday and the literature they handed out recommended the shot for "women who will be pregnant during influenze season". They defined those women as "people at high risk for complications from influenza". There was at least one preganant lady in the queue.