January 12, 2006

Did You Get The Flu Shot While Pregnant?

UPDATE: This is a popular with people asking the question, "Can I get the flu shot while pregnant". If you are one of those, after reading this post check here.

An interesting question arose out of the discussion of the California Autism numbers, specifically what the CDC recommendation this year that pregnant women get the flu shot will do to the autism rates. I noted that apparently only 13% of moms are paying heed to this recommendation.

I received an email from a woman who has started asking other mom's if they got the flu vaccine while they were pregnant, and if so, is the child they were carrying at the time healthy into their third or fourth year.

She found 20 women that had gotten the flu shot, and only one has a healthy child. All of the others have severe health problems including allergies, asthma and respiratory infections that required multiple hospitalizations or ER visits, ADD, full blown Autism, blindness, vision problems that required a patch over one eye to be worn, peanut allergies and cerebral palsy.

There no way that this can be a representative sample, but it makes me want to see a real study. If you know of one, pass it on.

So in the interest of curiosity, are there any mom's out there who got the flu shot while pregnant and have a child that is still healthy by age 3 or 4? If so email me, this mom wants to talk to you.

34 comments:

California Progressive said...

Ginger,
Can you give the link to this discussion or poll. I received the flu shot while pregnant. Also regrettably gave the shot to my son at age 6 and 18 months of age. All had full amounts of thimerisol in them. My son was diagnosed with autism at age 2.6 with our regional center and is now aged 2.7. The flu shot would have been his main link to the "thimerisol/mercury" connection. Would love more info on this independent poll.
Kristie

Ginger Taylor said...

Kristy,

Right now it is not really a discussion or poll, as much as it is one mom just looking around I think.

Email me and I will get you in touch with her.

Anonymous said...

Interesting. I got the flu shot about a week before I got pregnant, and my Bobby (29 months) is mildly autistic with repetitive behaviors and no speech. I did get him the flu shot at 17 months since he has respiratory allergies, but he was presenting autism symptoms at 12 months. I had his mercury levels checked since I'm a seafood eater, and his levels were barely measurable. Guess we're a genetic autism case since we have mental illness and learning disabilities in the family.
--Melanie

Anonymous said...

I got a flu shot when I was approx. 7 mos. pregnant with my first son. He is now almost three and very healthy. I also got a flu shot when approx. 5 mos pregnant with my second son and he is 20 months and very healthy.

Anonymous said...

I got a flu shot with my first pregnancy in the 2nd trimester and my 22 1/2 month old is otherwise healthy but has no speech. We are on a waiting list with a developmental pediatrician and he currently receives speech therapy. My son also got a flu shot a 10 months but it was "thimersol free". Now I am pregnant with my second son (23 weeks along) and I regrettable did receive a flu shot once again. We are very worried we will have another child that doesn't speak or worse. We're at a wierd stage of waiting for a diagnosis and to see what happens with the baby I am carrying and it's really driving me crazy and causing lots of mental anguish and termoil for me.

Anonymous said...

I got my flu shot when I was 3-3.5 months pregnant. Before this shot, I do not have any recollection of ever getting this shot in my lifetime (I am 32 years old.) I may have gotten the shot during my childhood but am not sure. I never went out to get the flu shot as an adult because I never thought it was important to get one. I am the type of person that never takes medicine. When I get a headache, cold, etc. I just let it pass. The only reason I did this time was because at the Kaiser I go to, there were posters/signs reccomending young children, elderly and pregnant women to get the shots. I therefore ignorantly and naively took my 25 month daughter with me so we can both get the flu shots for the first time. Just a few days ago I stumbled on an article blog on CNN regarding the rise in autism rates by Dr. Sanjay Gupta. It alarmed me that there was a blog of a possible link or not definitly proven results regarding flu shots and autisim. If I was aware or made aware of the controversy, I would have not blindly opted for my daughter and me to get the shot. My daughter is cared by her grandmother during the day and I do not work in an environment with children or mass public so the odds of my daughter and I getting the flu is lower. I am now 5.5 months pregnant and very scared. I wish there were astericks with warnings for pregnant people on the poster/signs encouraging people to get the flu shots or I wish that my doctor or the clinic at Kaiser would have warned me of the possibility and/or have a pregnant women sign a waiver that she is fully aware of what the flu shot contains and the controversy. All I can do now is wait and see what happens with my expectant newborn. This is not right!

-Worried Mother

Anonymous said...

My daughter was given the flu shot by her OBGYN at 3 months pregnant without any information concerning the questions surronding the thimerosal in vaccine issue and relationship to neuorlogical effects such as speech and autism. I called and spoke with the OBGYN office who said the pharmecutical rep told them the vaccine with thimerosal was safe for pregnant women. I was alarmed they accepted the drug reps word so blindly. Also, I would ask it differently, such as, "is the flu shot containing thimerosal, safe for the fetus?". Did you know Iowa and California have banned thimerosal? Did you know that ethyl mercury is a heavy metal so if the nurses don't shake the multidose bottle before they draw the vaccine, it could be more than the normal amount of thimerosal in the injection for that child? We are saying prayers for our unborn grandchild and have not told our daughter the potential risk the OB has put their child in. She would only worry at this point and we don't want that.

Anonymous said...

I believe the flu shot is a terrible thing and if I could take back ... if only I could ... I can't believe the evilness of this world to encourage us to inject mercury ...

My son has PDD traits, tics and lots of food sensitivities so we are GFCF egg-free and more. It is a devasting thing, I have gained over 100 pounds through the stress of it all. It it's the shot, it ruined my life forever.

Anonymous said...

HELLO MOMS YOUR'RE NOT ALONE MY SON WAS BORN IN 1999 CAN'T REMEMBER IF I TOOK A FLU SHOT OR NOT BUT I BECAME VERY CAUTIOUS ABOUT THE VAC AT THE DOCTOR APPTS. MY BABY IS WHAT THEY CONSIDER BORDERLINE AUTISM I KNEW SOMETHING WAS IMMEDIATELY WRONG IF YOUR BABY SAYS ALL THE GOOS AND GAAS THEN STOP ALMOST ALL SPEECH BY MAYBE 13 MONTHS BUT I WAS ALWAYS THE ONE AWARE AND WILLING TO ACCEPT HIM FOR MY BABY MAYBE YOU DONT REALLY FIT INTO OUR STEROTYPED WORLD AS NORMAL MY SON HAS CAME ALONG WAY FROM THE BOY HE USE TO BE CONSIDER HIM BEING MENTALLY BEHIND THE AVERAGE CHILD BY 2-3 YEARS I WATCHED A LIGHT NIGHT DEBATE ABOUT OUR OWN GOVT THE FOOD AND ADM KNEW OF OUR TAINTED VAC FOR OUR KIDS WHICH STOPPED BEING MERCURY FREE IN MOST IN YEAR 1999 BUT THE DRUG MAKERS CAN'T ME SUED OR HELD RELIABLE FOR THIS DUE TO SOME POLICY.SO WHAT WAS THE AMERICAN THING TO DO CONTRIBUTE THE DRUG TO THE THIRD WORLD COUNTRIES SINCE THE AMERICANS ARE A GIVING COUNTRIES.YES I DO BELIEVE IN THIS THEORY AND MORE TESTING SHOULD HAVE BEEN DONE IN THESE VAC AND DECISIONS!THATS WHY I BELIEVE THEY PAY FOR CERTAIN THINGA AND NOT OTHERS HEY ANGRY AND MAD MOM!!!

Unknown said...

I got the flu shot in 1997. My son is now 9yrs. old. He has been diagnosed add uneven cog. dis. opp. dis. and autism. I remember arguing with the doctor cause I never had the flu and did not want it. But after constant hassle I took it. I was 71/2 to 8 months pregnant. I did not take it w/ my daughter and so far she's fine. I had never heard about problems due to the flu shot I wonder if this is whats caused his problems? Is there a way to tell?

Elizabeth said...

I got the flu shot while pregnant and my 3-year-old son has autism.

Elizabeth said...

I had a flue shot while pregnant and my son is fine. I don't believe thay vaccinations of any kind contribute to Autism, It's purely genetic.

Debra said...

I had the flu shot when I was 2 months pregnant with my daugther. She is now 7 and has NO medical issues whatsoever. I also had the flu shot when I was 6 months pregnant with twins. The are two now and are also very healthy with no medical issues. I am now 8 months pregnant again, and will be getting my flu shot today without hesitation. I think that IF the flu vaccine was to blame for Autism, doctors would stop recommending it, just as they don't recommend anything above a simple Tylenol pill for a headache. There are so many things we can't take while pregnant because of the "slight possibility of risks"...so why would they recommend a flu shot which would cause our children life long problems?

Unknown said...

Doctors/medical staff do not know everything, even though it is reassuring to believe that they know enough to protect us and our children from harm. I am 38 weeks pregnant, and have not received a flu shot. I just called my OB office (new to me since 4 weeks ago) and the nurse had no idea what I was talking about when I asked if the flu shot they have in stock contains thimerosal. Not reassuring at all. Just do your homework before you take ANYTHING into your body because the effects are so much stronger for your unborn child. By the way I plan not to get the shot--I have never had it and have not had the flu. I read that the actual percentage of pregnant women who get influenza is not any higher than non-pregnant women. As for protecting your infant, which is the more tempting reason for me to consider getting the shot, I've decided to use common sense and ask others to wash their hands and stay away when they are sick, as well as avoid crowded indoor places. I also chose to have my 3 year old son, who will be starting preschool next month, to get the flu shot (thimerosal free). My husband received it as well. Good luck to all moms out there struggling with the decision. And to those of you living with autism, my heart goes out to you.

Caroline Seyedi. MA (Autism). SRSH. MIoEE. INLPTA. said...

I got the flu vaccine just as I was conceiving my daughter.She had the BCG vaccine at only a few days old followed by all the other recommended jabs and I believe the MMR tipped her immune system over the edge and she was diagnosed with autism at 2 1/2 years old. I believe her immune system was compromised by the vaccines, starting with the flu jab I had. She has had alot of therapy and intervention and homeopathy to reverse the effects of the vaccines and is now a very able, sociable, wanting independance, still autistic, 13 year old young lady. But I believe that without all the homeopathy and therapies and interventions she would not be the same today. Why can't the governments see these things we can? Or are they choosing not to?

Walkerfamily1412 said...

i had flu shots with both of my pregnancies son #1 is almost 3 and was diganoses at autism spectrum disorder
son #2 will be getting diagnosed soon ... we expect him to be on the spectrum as well
i am pregnant with #3 and will not be getting a flu shot this time

HG said...

Please remember everyone, this is an autism website. If you have just 'googled' this topic, you are not getting a represenatative sample. MOST parents on here unfortunately have children who have been diagnosed with autism or some other PDD. There is no scientific research stating that there definitely is a link between autism and vaccinations. This is merely speculation, which is why there is so much research being conducted currently to see if there IS a link. Please keep in mind that this is not an objective website and information with regards to the comments.

Ginger Taylor said...

HG is correct in pointing out that this is not a representative sample of the general public. It is merely autism mom's reporting on their experiences.

But HG is completely incorrect in his statement that the vaccine autism is speculative and there is not evidence to support it.

Please see the page entitled, "No Evidence of Any Link" for a list of forty some odd studies that support the link, please watch the video of the head of the CDC, Julie Gerberding on CNN trying to explain HHS's absurd and nonsensical position that vaccines both do and do not cause autism, and please take a look at my post about the contradictory rulings in the vaccine court, that contend that vaccines absolutely do and cannot possibly cause Autism Spectrum Disorders.

This site is FULL of important information for parents to use to make up their mind about whether or not the benefits of vaccinating outweight the risks.

As you spend time looking at my site, it becomes clear that health authorities have overstated the benefits, vastly understated the risks, and with holds vital information from parents which violates their right to informed consent. Additionally, the science journalists whose job it is to measure carefully the pronouncements of health authorities are ignoring so much important information that they are now complicit in the autism epidemic.

Mom's... do all your own research. Don't believe HG, and don't believe me.

Read for yourself and decide who is being straight with you and who is full of crap.

Ginger Taylor said...

Additionally, I would like to point you to the Maine CDC's Autism Conference videos which address environmental and vaccine toxic injury and their causal effect in autism.

"Maine CDC Autism Conference: Genes and Environment, Developmental and Chronic: An Inclusive Approach to Autism Science" by Martha Herbert, MD, PhD, Harvard Pediatric Neurologist

"Maine CDC Autism Conference: How Do We Know What Autism IS NOT if We Do Not Know What Autism IS?" by Jon Poling, MD, PhD, Johns Hopkins Neurologist and father of autistic child Hannah Poling who was paid by the Federal Vaccine Injury Compensation Fund last year.

And MOST importantly, if you are a pregnant woman making flu shot decisions (or a parent making decisions for your child) READ THE VACCINE PACKAGE INSERT! I cannot stress this enough. Read it end to end. Most docs don't know what they say.

And you will find to your horror, that these packages say that they have no idea what the shots will do to unborn children.

Yet the CDC is recommending them anyway.

Monumentally irresponsible.

Make sure you click the link at the top of this post and read that piece on the lack of safety testing on pregnant women.

Don't panic, don't make fear based decisions, inform yourself, be wise and have a wonderful pregnancy.

Unknown said...

I never got a flu shot when i was pregnant with my first son and he does not have autism there is no mental retardation or autism or developmental delay in my family or my husbands family. But while pregnant with 2nd son in 2002 i got the flu shot also after he was born he recieved 2 doses of flu vaccine by his first birthday, he was diagnosed at the age of 2 1/2 with autism. There is no genetic link that would cause my son to have autism we went through all kinds of testing.

Unknown said...

It would be interesting to see the statistics of mother’s who did not get the flu shot and did not give their children under the age of 2 the flu shot, but that child has autism.

kaya said...

I too was given flu shot when I was 8 weeks pregnant with my first son, he is 19 months old now and developmentally delayed,.Doctors have been trying to find out what his real diagnose. His neurologist said he was showing signs of Autism, and he does not talk yet. I was given the flu shot without being asked if I wanted it or not. I was not told about the possible side effects. I am extremely upset and frustrated and I wanted to ask the same question if other mothers out there that got the flu shot were having health problems with their children..
I think mothers whose children affected by flu shot should get together, there has to be a website for them..The more mothers out there come together, the easier to prove ourselves.
I did not take the shot with my second son and he is doing great.

Steph said...

I had the flu shot when I was pregnant the first time, my son is 3.2 and is autistic. My email is sbenz86@gmail.com if you would like to contact me also. Right now I am reading as much as I can to help me son as we cannot afford a DAN! doctor.

Jay said...

I was given the flu shot while pregnant with my second child. My first child is typical no flu shot given but she has all her vaccinations. My second child has autism and cp.He was givne vaccinations until he was diagnosed at about 2.4/3 years of age. I have a third child and no flu shot or any vaccinations he is fine. No family history of autism cp or mental retardation.

Anonymous said...

I only had a flu shot with one pregnancy out of 3 and it was around 6 months. My daughter Emma has autism and she is the one I got the shot with. Maybe they should look into this.

Adele said...

I was told by my midwife that the flu shot is safe since there is a shot available for pregnancy that has no mercury or preservatives. Does anyone have experience with this shot? Thoughts as to whether I should take it....

Ginger Taylor said...

Read the packaging. They are not even tested on pregnant women, and the packages say that they have no idea what it will do to a fetus. And yes mercury is still in most of them.

She does not know what she is talking about.

Adele said...

Thanks Ginger, that's what I figured. The nurse kept telling me I could die if I get the flu so I better get it ASAP right then and there:

Unknown said...

I recovered both the flu shot and the swine flu shot while pregnant. My 4 year old has autism. Not a day goes by I don't regret getting those shots

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Veronica wedding said...
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Unknown said...

I have a friend who’s child has language delay and sensory processing disorder and she had a flu shot during pregnancy. No family history. She also lost a baby at 7 weeks pregnant which is around the time she received a flu shot. With her second child she had a flu shot and got the flu really bad in her 3rd trimester. I do not think there is enough information on the effects of the flu shot on pregnancy. Also there is not enough information on the flu shot for children under 5 as their brain is being heavily developed still.

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