The Standing Vaccination Commission recommends that pregnant women be vaccinated against influenza.
A gynecologist explains why the spades are so important this year.
Berlin - According to experts, vaccination against flu this autumn is particularly important for pregnant women.
After the quasi-failed wave last season, more sick people can be expected again this year, explains Cornelia Hösemann from the board of the professional association of gynecologists of the German press agency.
“Because the immune system has to be trained again first.
In addition, with 2 or 3G regulations, the obligation to wear the mask is no longer necessary, so that infections that are spread via droplets will generally occur more again - Want to wear nose protection.
Influenza vaccination: gynecologist urges pregnant women to do so this year
According to the doctor, who is also a member of the Saxon Vaccination Commission (Siko), pregnant women are particularly at risk if they become infected with certain pathogens: "A real influenza during pregnancy can be life-threatening." The professional association also speaks of possible stronger fever attacks and severe pneumonia caused by the flu virus as well as hospital and intensive care admissions.
In the case of severe febrile infections, the risk of premature labor and premature birth generally increases, it said.
+
Cornelia Hösemann in her practice recommends the annual flu vaccination for pregnant women to protect mother and child.
© Jan Woitas / dpa
Hösemann reports that her practice in Großpösna near Leipzig has been vaccinated against flu since the end of September.
In some cases, pregnant women would also receive the spades against Covid-19 if they had not received it earlier.
The Standing Vaccination Commission (Stiko) has been recommending corona immunization with mRNA vaccines for still unvaccinated pregnant women since mid-September, while the Saxon Vaccination Commission had already voted in favor of this step in May.
Thereupon women from other federal states who were willing to be vaccinated drove to their practice, says Hösemann.
She is now receiving baby photos and thank you letters from these women.
In some other countries such as Israel and the USA, pregnant women were able to get immunized even earlier - while many doctors in Germany were reluctant to do this without recommending Stiko.
Influenza vaccination: infertility after vaccination?
Despite the now broad international experience: Hösemann often notices ignorance and misinformation about the Covid-19 vaccination in her work.
She asks unvaccinated women why.
"With the pregnant women in our practice, about half had already been vaccinated against Covid-19, the other half had planned the pregnancy and therefore did not have the vaccination done for the time being.
This waiting would of course not have been necessary. "
There is no need to worry about the mRNA vaccine, emphasizes Hösemann.
Many women had picked up somewhere that the vaccination allegedly made sterile.
On the other hand, she believes that, according to the logic of this false information, the many millions of people infected with corona must also be sterile, which is not the case.
The Robert Koch Institute (RKI) now also expressly emphasizes on its website: The claim about infertility after vaccination is wrong.
Influenza vaccination: harmful to the unborn child?
Some people also believe that vaccinations during pregnancy are generally harmful to the unborn child, reports Hösemann. In fact, live vaccines such as measles, mumps and rubella should not be given during pregnancy. With so-called dead vaccines, however, which contain killed pathogens or their components, there are no such concerns, the vaccination reactions are low, says the doctor. “Vaccination during pregnancy is not fundamentally dangerous. Some vaccinations should definitely be done after consultation. "
The reason for the increased risk of pregnant women with diseases such as flu, whooping cough and Covid-19 is primarily the immune system, explains Hösemann.
It is throttled, otherwise it would be directed against the unborn child.
The mother's uptake of oxygen is also vital for the child.
If the pregnant woman's breathing is impaired by a lung disease, this also harms the child.
Influenza vaccination: protection for mother and child
Vaccinations are about protecting mother and child: Antibodies are passed on via the placenta so that the baby has so-called nest protection even in the first six months after delivery.
Breastfeeding also helps.
Vaccinations against flu and Covid-19 are usually from the second trimester of pregnancy - a pure precautionary measure, as the gynecologist explains.
In high-risk pregnancies, for example if the pregnant woman has diabetes or is very overweight, the Piks is also possible in the first trimester.
(With material from dpa)
This article only contains general information on the respective health topic and is therefore not intended for self-diagnosis, treatment or medication. Under no circumstances does it replace a visit to the doctor. Unfortunately, our editors are not allowed to answer individual questions about clinical pictures.
List of rubric lists: © Jan Woitas / dpa
