A new study has found that getting a flu shot during pregnancy does not increase the risk of asthma, autism, or other illnesses in children. Pregnant women are at a significantly higher risk of complications from the flu, with hospitalization rates almost seven times higher than the general population. The World Health Organization has recommended prioritizing pregnant women for the annual flu vaccine for several years now, as studies have shown that it not only protects mothers but also provides infants with antibodies in their first months of life. However, despite these scientifically proven benefits, only a minority of pregnant women get vaccinated against the flu.
Researchers from the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario analyzed hospital records and medical billing data from 28,255 children in Nova Scotia to determine whether a mother’s flu shot had any negative effects on her child’s health or development. The study found that getting a flu shot during pregnancy did not increase the risk of immunological diseases such as asthma in the first two to five years of life. Ear infections and other infections were also not more common in children whose mothers had been vaccinated during pregnancy. The data clearly showed that getting a flu shot during pregnancy does not have a negative impact on the child.
The study also found that pregnant women living in urban areas were more likely to get vaccinated than those in rural areas. Additionally, the vaccination rate was higher among women from higher-income families, and pre-existing medical conditions in pregnant women increased the likelihood of getting vaccinated. The fear of potential long-term effects on the child was cited as the main reason for pregnant women’s reluctance to get vaccinated against the flu. However, this study provides reassurance that getting a flu shot during pregnancy is safe and beneficial for both mother and child.
