Can I Get The Flu Shot While Pregnant?

(I have noticed a lot of people coming to my blog from the "Can I get the flu shot while pregnant" search term. They have been referred to another post of mine, "Did You Get The Flu Shot While Pregnant". Feel free to visit that post, which is on mom's reports of long term damage done to their kids from getting the flu shot, but I thought I should write something that more directly speaks to this question:)

The CDC and it's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends the flu shot for pregnant women.

However, I believe that this is an irresponsible recommendation as the flu shot has not been safety tested on pregnant women.

And despite the fact that some of these flu vaccines are not for use in children, the CDC and ACIP have not issued a warning for pregnant women not to have them.

Additionally, despite repeated requests from parents of vaccine injured children, the CDC and ACIP will not state a preference for pregnant women to receive only Thimerosal free flu shots.

From the vaccine package inserts:

Fluarix (Thimerosal free):
Pregnancy: Pregnancy Category C. Animal reproduction studies have not been conducted with FLUARIX. It is not known whether FLUARIX can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman or can affect reproduction capacity. FLUARIX should be given to a pregnant woman only if clearly needed. The ACIP has issued recommendations regarding the use of the influenza virus vaccine in pregnant women.

Nursing Mothers: It is not known whether FLUARIX is excreted in human milk. Because many drugs are excreted in human milk, caution should be exercised when FLUARIX is administered to a nursing woman. The ACIP has issued recommendations regarding the use of the influenza virus vaccine in nursing mothers.

Pediatric Use: FLUARIX IS NOT INDICATED FOR USE IN CHILDREN.

Flulaval (Contains Thimerosal):
Pregnancy: Pregnancy Category C. Animal reproduction studies have not been conducted with FLULAVAL. It is also not known whether FLULAVAL can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman or can affect reproduction capacity. FLULAVAL should be given to a pregnant woman only if clearly needed.

Nursing Mothers: It is not known whether FLULAVAL is excreted in human milk. Because many drugs are excreted in human milk, caution should be exercised when FLULAVAL is administered to a nursing woman.

Pediatric Use: Safety and effectiveness of FLULAVAL in pediatric patients have not been established.

Flumist (Thimerosal Free):
Pregnancy: Pregnancy Category C Animal reproduction studies have not been conducted with FluMist. It is not known whether FluMist can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman or can affect reproduction capacity. FluMist should be given to a pregnant woman only if clearly needed.
The effect of the vaccine on embryo-fetal and pre-weaning development was evaluated in a developmental toxicity study using pregnant rats receiving the frozen formulation. Groups of animals were administered the vaccine either once (during the period of organogenesis on gestation day 6) or twice (prior to gestation and during the period of organogenesis on gestation day 6), 250mcL/rat/occasion (approximately 110-140 human dose equivalents based on TCID50), by intranasal instillation. No adverse effects on pregnancy, parturition, lactation, embryo-fetal or preweaning development were observed. There were no vaccine related fetal malformations or other
evidence of teratogenesis noted in this study.

Nursing Mothers: It is not known whether FluMist is excreted in human milk. Therefore, as some viruses are excreted in human milk and additionally, because of the possibility of shedding of vaccine virus and the close proximity of a nursing infant and mother, caution should be exercised if FluMist is administered to nursing mothers.

Pediatric Use: FluMist is not indicated for use in children <24 months of age. FluMist use in children <24 months has been associated with increased risk of hospitalization and wheezing in clinical trials [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) and Adverse Reactions (6.1)].

Fluvirin (Contains Thimerosal)
Pregnancy: Pregnancy Category C
Animal reproduction studies have not been conducted with Influenza Virus Vaccine (FLUVIRIN®). It is also not known whether Influenza Virus Vaccine (FLUVIRIN®) can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman or can affect reproduction capacity. Influenza Virus Vaccine (FLUVIRIN®) should be given to a pregnant woman only if clearly needed.
The clinical judgment of the attending physician should prevail at all times in determining whether to administer Influenza Virus Vaccine to a pregnant woman.

Pediatric Use: The safety and immunogenicity of FLUVIRIN® have been established in the age group 4 years to 16 years. The use of FLUVIRIN® in these age groups is supported by evidence from adequate and well-controlled studies of FLUVIRIN® in adults that demonstrate the immunogenicity of FLUVIRIN®. The safety and immunogenicity of FLUVIRIN® have not been established in children <4 years of age.

Fluzone (Comes in both Thimerosal Containing and Thimerosal Free):
PREGNANCY CATEGORY C
Animal reproduction studies have not been conducted with Influenza Virus Vaccine. It is not known whether Influenza Virus Vaccine can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman or can affect reproduction capacity. Influenza Virus Vaccine should be given to a pregnant woman only if clearly needed. For guidance regarding use in pregnant women, see INDICATIONS AND USAGE section.

PEDIATRIC USE: SAFETY AND EFFECTIVENESS OF FLUZONE VACCINE (SUBVIRION) IN INFANTS BELOW THE AGE OF 6 MONTHS HAVE NOT BEEN ESTABLISHED.