Flu Vaccination During Pregnancy Protects the Baby

By Deborah Lehman, MD

Dr. Lehman is an associate editor with NEJM Journal Watch Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, from which this story was adapted. See full coverage at the link below.

Infants born to mothers who received flu vaccine during pregnancy have a 60% lower risk for influenza or influenza-like illness (ILI) in the first 6 months of life than those born to unvaccinated mothers, a Pediatrics study finds.

Researchers reviewed records for nearly 250,000 mother-baby pairs born in Utah and Idaho during influenza seasons from 2005 to 2014.

Overall, 10% reported receiving influenza vaccine during pregnancy. There were no differences in pregnancy outcomes between the vaccinated and unvaccinated groups. During the first 6 months, infants born to vaccinated women had lower rates of ILI evaluation (1.34 vs. 3.70 per 1000), ILI hospitalization (0.17 vs. 1.05), and laboratory-confirmed influenza (0.84 vs. 2.83). Rates of laboratory-confirmed respiratory syncytial virus infection did not differ.

Comment: This study confirms that maternal influenza vaccination during pregnancy provides protection to infants too young to receive vaccine. These findings should encourage vaccination of all pregnant women to protect the health of their babies.