Flu shot during pregnancy might cut stillbirth risk

Flu vaccination during pregnancy may reduce the risk of stillbirth, a new study reports.

Researchers studied birth and maternal vaccination records for 58,008 pregnancies in Western Australia during the 2012 and 2013 flu seasons. There were 5,076 births to women who had had the flu vaccine at some point during pregnancy, and 52,932 births to unvaccinated mothers.

After adjusting for maternal age, socioeconomic status, diabetes, hypertension, and other health and behavioural characteristics, they found the risk of stillbirth was 51 per cent lower in vaccinated women than in unvaccinated ones. The researchers, however, acknowledge that the study, in Clinical Infectious Diseases, is observational and does not prove cause and effect, and that the results may not be generalisable to other populations or other flu seasons.

NEW FINDING

• Maternal vaccination records for 58,008 pregnancies were studied
   
• There were 5,076 births to women who had the flu vaccine at some point during pregnancy, and 52,932 births to unvaccinated mothers
   
• Risk of stillbirth was 51 % lower in vaccinated women
   
• However, researchers claim that the study was just observational

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends the flu vaccine during pregnancy, but more than half of all pregnant women in the US are unvaccinated.

The lead author, Annette K Regan of the Western Australia health department, said pregnant women go unvaccinated for two main reasons: They are unaware of its importance and their doctor does not recommend it, or they fear it will harm the baby. "We hope," she continued, "that these results show not only pregnant women but also their providers, that flu vaccination is safe during pregnancy and has major benefits for both mother and infant."

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