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Immunization during pregnancy reduces the risk of miscarriages, stillbirths, low birthweight, and premature deliveries

Studies from multiple Western countries have found that pregnant women infected with influenza during the 2009 A/H1N1 pandemic were at higher risk of miscarriages, stillbirths, low birthweight and premature deliveries. The risk of fetal death was between 2 and 5.5 times higher in pregnant women with influenza than in pregnant women without influenza. In the UK, the rate of stillbirths was 4.5 times higher and the likelihood of preterm delivery was 4 times greater in influenza-infected pregnant women than non-infected women.

Although this article indicated that influenza vaccination is safely used for the mother and the fetus, conflicting data exists on the effect of vaccination in improving preterm birth rates.

Full Citation:
Nunes MC, Madhi SA. 2015. Review on the effects of influenza vaccination during pregnancy on preterm births. Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics. 11(11).

Title of Article: Review on the effects of influenza vaccination during pregnancy on preterm births

Author(s): Nunes MC, Madhi SA

Publication Year: 2015

Publication Name: Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics

Publication Volume: 11(11)

Publication Source URL: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4685674/pdf/khvi-11-11-1059976.pdf

DOI (Digital Object Identifier): 10.1080/21645515.2015.1059976

Topics: Health

Disease Vaccines: Influenza

Immunization Terms: Maternal immunization

Countries: South Africa

WHO Regions: Africa