I got a phonecall from my surgery on Friday asking me to go in on Thursday at 5pm for the swine flu vaccine. I'm having my wee boy exactly 2 weeks later. I'm hardly out and about that much at the moment, and not in close contact with lots of people, and i don't live in an area that has a high swine flu rate (although i know there is still a risk). It was the receptionist who phoned, so when i started asking questions, she just said to come along on Thursday and i could speak to the doctor/nurse about it, but that all pregnanct women are recommended to have it. She also said that it is being given to people who are admitted to hospital atm.

Anyway, i'm seriously thinking of turning down getting the vaccine (99.9% certain) but was going to ask for it possibly when in hospital (i'm having a c section and so would imagine that i'll be in for 2-3 days) after i've had the baby. That way, i'd be protected, plus the antibodies would be passed to lo through my milk?

Do you think i'm doing the right thing? Opinions much appreciated!

Baby does get some immunity to it by getting while in utero.

I've heard/read this too, but i'm just wary of getting the vaccine when it's so new and there's not been enough time to do any proper research on possible long term effects. Obv, i want to do what's best, but i'm just not convinced that that's it.

really undesided myself so not much help really, i am 39 weeks so kinda hoping that i dont get given the choice (the wimps way out).
The thing that sways me towards it would be if it protected the baby. But then if it does then surely it could effect the baby and its not given to babies under 6 months???

Good point! You'd think that if it were safe to give when pregnant, then it would be ok to give to an infant under 6 months, possibly in a smaller dose? Oh, i really wish i hadn't had that phonecall tbh, but i'm still thinking that i'll turn it down. Another thing that's making me think "no" is that i had my little girl (who is 3) at the doctor last week, she had an infection. The doctor told me that he didn't think it was swine flu, and even if it was, then they probably wouldn't treat it anyway if symptoms were mild, as there the risk of side effects outweighs letting it run it's course. I'm just a bit skeptical of it all to be perfectly honest.

I'm a school nurse and am around all the fluish kids so to me the benefit far outweighed the risk.

Also, it's made the same exact way and in the same labs as the seasonal vaccine. It's basically jsut a different strain. So, if you are comfortable with the seasonal flu vaccine, it stands to reason that you should be comfortable with the H1N1 vaccine.

I understand where you are all coming from though. I spent hours of research on it trying to decide...

personally, in your situation I'd be more inclined to get the shot once you've had your baby, then you're protected, some immunity will still be passed on through breast feeding, and you don't have teh concern over the unknown long term effects of the baby in utero.

just my thoughts.,

Will you still be allowed it after you give birth? Technically at that point you're no longer in a high risk group. Not sure whether they would still do it so it's worth asking.

The benefit would be that the baby would get the antibodies while still in the womb, hopefully adding some protection after birth