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Pregnant women urged to leave the flu behind

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia’s immunization program wants to improve on the number of pregnant women getting flu shots in the Mountain State.

Director of the state DHHR’s Immunization Services Jeff Necuzzi said only about half of expectant mothers in the state get a flu shot. He said there’s really no reason not to.

State DHHR Secretary Karen Bowling, shown here getting a flu shot Tuesday, is not only urging pregnant women to get a flu shot but all state residents.

“The benefit of receiving flu vaccine greatly outweighs any risks. The risks are very, very low,” Necuzzi said Tuesday following a news conference promoting the immunizations.

Medical officials say pregnant women are at a higher risk for getting the flu because their immune systems are naturally low.

“Specifically pregnant women are at risk for premature labor or delivery if they get the flu while pregnant,” according to Necuzzi.

The flu shot can be administered during any trimester and the vaccine can help a newborn child for the first few months. Necuzzi said getting over the fear of getting a flu shot is all about education.

“Flu vaccines have been administered to pregnant women for decades and there’s just no evidence that the vaccine caused any harm to the pregnant woman or her unborn child,” Necuzzi said.

The state Division of Immunization Services is urging all state residents, six months and older, to get flu shots.





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