I react to the vaccine strongly, should I take the vaccine pregnant?

Question

I got the H1N1 vaccine in 2009 or 2010, and the flu vaccine in 2013 and the flu in 2018, all three vaccines gave me a lot of fever, big headache, diharee, I was bedridden for 1 1/2- 2 weeks. The nurse at my clinic strongly tells me to get the flu shot despite my pregnancy. I don't know if getting the flu would really be worse than being sick from the vaccine, I would be afraid of getting a fever with my pregnancy. Are the chances of me getting sick again from the vaccine lower since I've had them several times?

Emmanuelle Laflamme · Accepted Answer

Hello, and thank you for your question :) The flu shot is indeed recommended ++ for mothers-to-be who are in their 2nd or 3rd trimester. Is this your case? The side effects you mention are rare, but possible (fever, aches, etc.). However, they are usually short-lived .... Pregnant women are vaccinated because the flu is more likely to cause serious illness in pregnant women than in other women. We are also protecting the unborn child :) So I recommend you to get the vaccine. If you have a fever or other related symptoms, you can take Tylenol (not advil, Motrin, aleve or other anti-inflammatory drugs). I hope this helps you a little in your thinking :) Have a good evening, Emmanuelle