More evidence that the flu vaccine is safe for pregnant women
has been released. A new study shows that there is no link
between the flu vaccine and the risk of serious birth defects.
That's the number one concern that mothers-to-be have when
considering getting a flu shot. The study noted that of nearly
9,000 pregnant women who got the flu shot, about 2 percent had a
baby with a major birth defect, such as a malformation in the
heart or a cleft lip. That was the same as 77,000 pregnant women
who did not get the shot. Researchers also found that women who
got vaccinated were less likely to suffer a stillbirth. Point 3
% did not experience a stillbirth versus point 6 % of un-
vaccinated women. Their newborns also had a lower death rate:
point two percent died soon after birth, compared with point
four percent of babies born to unvaccinated moms. It's not
certain that the flu shot had anything to do with the lower
stillbirth, but there may be a link says Dr. Jeanne S.
Sheffield, the lead researcher on the work.