CDC Urges Pregnant Women to Get Flu Vaccines

New York, NY —

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention wants pregnant women to know this is the year to get a flu shot. Doctor Siobhan Dolan, a consultant with the March of Dimes, says most pregnant women are reluctant to take medication, but, this year the combination of seasonal flu and the H1N1 virus has increased the urgency.

DOLAN: Of the 45 deaths of H1N1 virus infection that the CDC had reported, six of those were in pregnant women. So we know the risks are real for pregnant women.

REPORTER: According to the CDC, expectant mothers are four times as likely to be hospitalized as other flu sufferers. Dolan says many obstetricians don't provide their patients with flu shots, but they can be obtained elsewhere, like at national chain pharmacies, high schools or community health centers.