Archived Materials : H1N1 Flu Virus

Information for pregnant women

Unadjuvanted vaccine is available for pregnant women.

Pregnant women are no more likely to get the pandemic H1N1 flu virus than the rest of the population, but they are more likely to develop complications from an influenza infection.

Most pregnant women who get the H1N1 flu experience mild symptoms of influenza. They will be sick for a few days with fever and cough, and then recover. A small number may become severely ill and require hospitalization. As with seasonal influenza, pregnant women (especially those in the 2nd and 3rd trimester) and women up to 6 weeks after delivery are at a higher risk of developing complications from influenza (e.g., pneumonia).

Pregnancy and the H1N1 Flu

It is strongly recommended that pregnant women get their H1N1 flu vaccination. When you are pregnant you are at increased risk of getting complications from the flu. This is because your immune system is suppressed.

Unadjuvanted vaccine is available for pregnant women.

To get your flu shot, call your doctor. Many physicians, Family Health Teams and Community Health Centres offer flu vaccinations. Flu shots are also available through public health units.

What are the signs and symptoms of the pandemic H1N1 flu?

Symptoms of the pandemic H1N1 flu may include but are not limited to :

Rapid onset of fever.
New/ worse cough or shortness of breath.
Sore throat.
Aching muscles.
Aching joints.
Extreme exhaustion.

NOTE : Some individuals may not experience all of these symptoms.

How does the pandemic H1N1 influenza spread?

The pandemic H1N1 flu spreads the same way seasonal flu does. Flu viruses are spread mainly from person to person through coughing or sneezing. Sometimes people may become infected by touching objects or surfaces that have been contaminated with the flu virus and then touching their mouth or nose.

What can pregnant women do to reduce their risks?

Pregnant women may be exposed to the flu virus anywhere in the community, including at home, on public transit, in public venues, at work, and at faith community gatherings.

To reduce the risk of exposure to flu, pregnant women are encouraged to take the following steps :

Get the flu shot.
Practise frequent and thorough hand hygiene using soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitizer (containing 60 to 90% alcohol).
Cough and sneeze into a tissue or into their sleeve (if a tissue is not available) and encourage all close contacts to practise hand hygiene and correct cough/sneeze etiquette.
Avoid touching eyes, nose or mouth.
Keep common surfaces and items clean and disinfected.
Be aware of early flu-like symptoms and contact their healthcare provider or Telehealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000 if they start feeling ill with flu-like symptoms.
Avoid being the primary caregiver for a family member with flu-like symptoms, if possible.
If providing care for someone with flu-like symptoms, avoid being within 2 metres as much as possible, practise hand hygiene, and have the ill person wear a surgical mask if he/she can.
Stay home if sick and remain at home until a fever is no longer present and they are feeling well. It is common to have a cough for days or weeks after a respiratory infection. Pregnant women who have a cough but no other symptoms can return to work.
Talk to their healthcare provider and develop a personal plan to reduce the effect of the flu on themselves and their unborn child, including:

how to reduce exposure to the flu in the home, community and workplace; and
how to get treatment if they develop flu-like symptoms.

Should pregnant women continue working?

Pregnant women should continue normal activities such as going to work and participating in community events. However, caution should be taken when entering situations where there are many people in close quarters with little control over personal contact as this may increase the risk of transmitting the infection.

What is the recommended treatment for pregnant women?

Although pregnant women are no more likely than anyone else to get the H1N1 flu, they are more likely to develop complications from influenza. Early treatment with antivirals is key to preventing complications. Because the risk of complications from the flu is greater in the later stages of pregnancy and after childbirth (i.e., up to 6 weeks after birth), it is particularly important for women who are in the 2nd and 3rd trimesters, women in labour, and women up to 6 weeks after delivery to receive treatment with antivirals within 48 hours of the onset of symptoms. Based on existing evidence, antivirals oseltamivir (Tamiflu®) and zanamivir (Relenza®) are not associated with an increased risk of adverse effects in the mother or unborn child.

Women who are in labour can be treated with antivirals for the flu. They should NOT be separated from their baby, unless the baby needs separate care for other health reasons.

Women who are breastfeeding can continue to provide breast milk to their babies while being treated with antivirals for the flu. Both Tamiflu and Relenza are considered to be compatible with breastfeeding.

A mother’s milk is made to fight diseases in her baby. This is highly important in young babies whose immune system is still growing. Women should be careful not to cough or sneeze in the baby’s face and practice hand hygiene using soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitizer (containing 60 to 90% alcohol). They may want to consider using a mask to keep from spreading the virus to their baby.

Women who have flu-like symptoms with a fever should reduce the amount of close contact with their baby during the first 72 hours of illness to decrease the risk of infection in their baby. To achieve this, they can pump and give the expressed milk to their baby. If the woman is feeling well enough after 72 hours of antivirals, she can resume breastfeeding.

Questions about the vaccine

Have studies been done to measure the health impact of vaccines on pregnant women?

Yes. The vaccine is safe.

But if I get the vaccine, am I putting the H1N1 flu virus in my body while I am pregnant?

The vaccine does not contain live virus. You cannot contract H1N1 flu from it.

Why are pregnant women being offered non-adjuvanted vaccine?

Non-adjuvanted vaccine is being offered as a precautionary measure.

What if I am pregnant and already received an adjuvanted shot — was that safe? Should I go back and get non-adjuvanted? What does the adjuvant do?

A vaccine contains an antigen — this is the active ingredient that stimulates your immune system to produce the antibodies that will protect you from the flu virus.

An adjuvant is an additive that bolsters the immune response delivered by a vaccine. It allows a little bit of antigen to go a long way. This is necessary to make sure there would be enough vaccine for everyone.

If you have received adjuvanted vaccine, you are vaccinated against the flu. You do not have to get vaccinated a second time.

For More Information

For information about seasonal flu, H1N1 and pandemic preparedness

Call the ServiceOntario INFOline at 1-800-476-9708 (Toll-free in Ontario)
TTY 1-800-387-5559
TTY (Toronto) 416-327-4282
Hours of operation : 8:30am - 5:00pm

To speak with a registered nurse

Visit Telehealth Ontario or call 1-866-797-0000
TTY: 1-866-797-0007
Hours of operation : 24 hours, 7 days a week

To find health care options in your community

Visit ontario.ca/healthcareoptions or call 1-866-330-6206.

To find a health care provider

If you don’t have a health care provider, you can register for the Health Care Connect program. Visit ontario.ca/healthcareconnect or call 1-800-445-1822.