H1N1 flu vaccine

[Ghoulish Delight]

Originally Posted by Cadaverous Pallor

You are 6 times more likely to die of it if you are pregnant. (Regular flu is dangerous for both mom and fetus as well.)

That's not quite what the statistics say. The statistic being reported is that 6% of the US swine flu deaths have been pregnant women, while pregnant women make up only 1% of the general population. While that means 6 times as many as one would expect have died, it doesn't mean they're 6 times more likely to die than someone who isn't pregnant. To know that you'd have to know infection rates and some other numbers.

Not that the statistic isn't cause for concern. Even if it is simply indicating that pregnant women are more likely to contract H1N1 and therefore even dying at the same rate as the general population they'll account for a disproportionate number of deaths, that's a good enough reason to take the precaution of the shot. But "6 times more likely" isn't quite an accurate picture.

[3894]

Originally Posted by Ghoulish Delight

Even if it is simply indicating that pregnant women are more likely to contract H1N1 and therefore even dying at the same rate as the general population they'll account for a disproportionate number of deaths, that's a good enough reason to take the precaution of the shot.

This interested me, GD, so I googled. CDC sez (in spoiler box because I don't know how many details CP and GD want. When I was expecting, I preferred to not think of these things.) :

Spoiler:

However, evidence that influenza can be more severe in pregnant women is available from observations during previous pandemics and from studies among pregnant women who had seasonal influenza. An excess of influenza-associated deaths among pregnant women were reported during the pandemics of 1918–1919 and 1957–1958. Adverse pregnancy outcomes have been reported following previous influenza pandemics, with increased rates of spontaneous abortion and preterm birth reported, especially among women with pneumonia. Case reports and several epidemiologic studies conducted during interpandemic periods also indicate that pregnancy increases the risk for influenza complications for the mother and might increase the risk for adverse perinatal outcomes or delivery complications.

Source is here.

[Cadaverous Pallor]

Originally Posted by Ghoulish Delight

While that means 6 times as many as one would expect have died...

This is what I meant. Sorry for the poor choice of words, thanks for the clarification.

Originally Posted by BTD

I could be wrong, but I thought I saw it at CVS and Target.

Not at CVS in CA

I'm not seeing anything on Target's website, and they
aren't listed on the CA page.

[BarTopDancer]

Originally Posted by Cadaverous Pallor

This is what I meant. Sorry for the poor choice of words, thanks for the clarification.



Not at CVS in CA

I'm not seeing anything on Target's website, and they
aren't listed on the CA page.

Sorry!