Pregnant ladies...are you having the swine flu jab?

Flu vaccination time tables vary in each NHS Trust.

Katylux it's possible that you're not being offered the flu vaccine until you're at least into your second trimester...  Some vaccine's just aren't safe to be given until after your first trimester - I'm not sure if Swine Flu falls into this category as there just isn't enough information on it.  I know with regular Flu vaccine they prefer to wait until the end of your second / beginning of your third trimester before giving the vaccination, or at least this is what I was told by my GP.

Also, just because you fall into an "at risk" category because you are pregnant does not mean that you will have precidence on that alone.  They'll be offering to pregnant women with other contributing factors before just the pregnant ladies as they would be considered more at risk (ie. pregnant with asthma etc.).    Again, this is primarily going to be down to your NHS Trust and how they decide to dole out their alloted vaccinations.

"The flu jab is not routinely recommended for young, healthy adults and this includes pregnant women," says a spokesperson for the Health Protection Agency. "But if you fall into one of the at-risk groups - if you have asthma or kidney disease, for example - you should talk to your doctor."

- from Baby Centre UK - Swine Flu Vaccination info

I was told a couple of months ago that I could expect a letter inviting me for a Swine Flu vaccination, which I've yet to receive.  I don't intend to take them up on the offer, but I'm just giving an example of how long this is taking to roll out...  If you are more concerned about being at risk and feel your GP is not moving as fast as you'd like you may want to consider seeing a private physician to see if they might be able to provide you with the Swine Flu vaccination sooner than the NHS.    

Your baby is at risk from swine flu as well though, not to mention from the medication you would have if you caught it.  Have a look at Brandilynn's post further up this thread, if you didn't see it already.

I hadn't, thanks; I scrolled up and gave it a readover.  It doesn't change my mind on the matter, though.  And to be fair *chuckles*  I'd not be half-surprised to find out I had it earlier in my pregnancy; I got hit with more colds and cold-like situations in the past nine months than I have in the past five years!  If that's not a good antibody base on top of my already top-notch ones....

And thank you, Katy - I look forward to meeting the little one... and being able to roll over without getting stuck.