One simple step Ð which takes seconds to do Ð can help pregnant women keep their babies safe from the flu after they're born.
Hi, I'm Dr. Cindy Haines, host of HealthDay TV.
The flu poses special health threats to pregnant women. Babies are also at high risk of flu-related complications, but they can't be vaccinated against the disease until they're 6 months old.
New research supports the later benefits when pregnant women get a flu shot. The study, published in the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology, included 1,510 babies who were hospitalized with flu-like symptoms before the age of 6 months. Testing found that most didn't actually have the flu, however.
The researchers found that when the mothers had a flu vaccination during pregnancy, their babies were about 48 percent less likely to need to be hospitalized for the flu
According to the CDC, pregnant women can have a flu shot at any point during any trimester. The organization also points out that millions of pregnant women have had the flu vaccine, which has not been found to be harmful to the mom or the baby.
I'm Dr. Cindy Haines of HealthDay TV, with the news that doctors are reading; health news that matters to you.
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