Texas Fertility Center patients frequently ask us about the flu vaccine, and whether they should take this precautionary step prior to or during fertility treatment. Your goal is to get pregnant, so protecting your health is of paramount importance now and in the future.

What TFC Fertility Friends Frequently Ask About Flu

It’s January/February. Should I still get the flu vaccine?
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and TFC: Yes. As long as the flu virus is circulating, you should get the vaccine to protect your health. In fact, the CDC recommends that all women who are actively pursuing pregnancy and those who are already pregnant should receive the flu vaccination. As fertility doctors, we also advise getting a flu vaccine to avoid interruption to your fertility treatment cycle.

Every year the flu vaccine changes. Is the 2012 flu vaccine working?
Apparently. The 2012 flu season vaccine has reduced the risk of seeking medical treatment for influenza by about 60 percent for vaccinated people.

Are flu vaccine supplies running out?
The CDC reports that of the 145 million doses produced, 129 million have been distributed this season. Find current availability of the flu vaccine here >>> http://flushot.healthmap.org/

Is it safe to get a flu shot while undergoing fertility treatment?
Yes. However, should you become ill with the flu, we will discuss suspending certain fertility medications and treatment until flu symptoms resolve.

Does the flu vaccine cause the flu?
No.

What type of flu vaccine should I receive?
If you are pregnant or could be pregnant: Insist on the inactivated influenza vaccine, not the live vaccine, at any time during your pregnancy. Your obgyn doctor will advise you to get a flu shot regardless of the trimester. If you are not pregnant: Nasal spray vaccines contain a live virus, so women who are not pregnant or have already given birth often prefer this form of the vaccine. Even nursing mothers can safely ask for the nasal flu vaccine.

TFC and the CDC recommend 3 steps to avoiding the flu:

1. Get the flu vaccine.
2. If you get the flu, seek early treatment and stay home until 24 hours after your fever resolves.
3. Practice preventative actions (frequent hand washing, cover your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze, avoid touching your mouth and nose, avoid close contact with sick people).

Texas Fertility Center strongly recommends the flu vaccine to our entire staff, in order to minimize the risk of increased flu exposure or transmission to patients who we see in our office. We want to protect our patients from the discomfort and possible health complications associated with the flu. Your good health paves the way to a successful fertility treatment cycle, so contact us if you are ready to get started.