One Dose of H1N1 Vaccine Works for Pregnant Women

A single dose of the H1N1 vaccine is all that is required to protect most pregnant women from the virus according to new clinical trial data.

About 100 pregnant women took part in the trial and over 90 percent had a strong immune response to one 15 microgram dose of the H1N1 vaccine. The vaccine also appears to be safe, because there have been no reported side effects.

So far, nearly a third of pregnant US women hospitalized with H1N1 have died from the flu. Since pregnant women are at high risk for complications with the H1N1 flu, it is important for them to get vaccinated. 

Although pregnant women have historically gotten vaccinated for the flu at about half the rate of the general population, and many are reluctant to get vaccinated for the H1N1 virus, doctors are strongly recommending they do get vaccinated, because the benefits far outweigh the risks.