Flu Epidemic-All Pregnant Women Should be Vaccinated

Date: 01/09/15

URGENT: Flu Epidemic in the U.S. Vaccinate All Pregnant Women

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has declared a flu (influenza) epidemic in the United States. There has been antigenic drift in one of the strains of the virus seen circulating now versus the strain chosen for the vaccine. Therefore, it is extremely important for providers to promptly treat all patients with influenza-like-illness (ILI), even women who have been vaccinated. To date there have been 21 pediatric deaths and more than double the number of hospitalizations from the previous flu season. So far, among the 35 hospitalized women of childbearing age (15-44 years), 12 (34.3%) were pregnant. ACOG and CDC recommend everyone 6 months and older receive a flu shot each year. Vaccination is particularly important for pregnant women who are at higher risk of complications and severe illness from influenza.

IMPORTANT: If any of your pregnant patients present with influenza-like-illness (ILI) such as fever >37.8°C (100.0°F), cough or sore throat, chills, body aches/muscle pain, headache begin treatment with antivirals immediately. Your decision should be based on clinical assessment and you should not wait nor rely on rapid test results which are often inaccurate. Patient with influenza-like illness should be treated with antiviral medications presumptively regardless of vaccination status.

Although one strain of this year’s vaccine is not a good match, the vaccine can still protect against other strains of the virus and vaccination is still the best form of prevention.

For more information please visit ACOG’s Immunization for Women website.