Pregnant and getting the runaround: My search for a flu shot

Every time I see advice for pregnant women to get a seasonal flu vaccine, I have to laugh—and then rant and rave to anyone who will listen. We’ve all been reminded how important it is for pregnant women to get vaccinated for the H1N1 (swine) flu and the seasonal flu, but it’s not necessarily easy.

This is the second time I have been pregnant during a flu season it’s also the second time I have faced serious obstacles trying to get vaccinated. First, I tried my obstetrician only to find out that, at least where I live in Westchester County in New York, they don't give out the seasonal flu vaccine.

So I tried my internist next. This year, his office is out of flu vaccine altogether. But during my last pregnancy I showed my internist at the time the CDC alert recommending that pregnant women get vaccinated, and he nevertheless refused to give me the vaccine. Even my pulmonologist wouldn't provide the vaccine, even though I have asthma, which puts me at higher risk of complications and severe disease.

For the first pregnancy, my employer at the time hired a nurse to vaccinate the entire company, and she wouldn't give me the shot. I finally, got one from my boss at the time, who also happened to be an M.D.

This year I thought the local health department would be my fall-back since I'm away the day my employer offers the shot, but no luck. And the retail pharmacy clinics were no help either. Continuing down the list of possibilities, I tried Planned Parenthood next, and was rejected because they didn’t take my insurance. I offered to pay cash, but they said they don’t accept fee-for-service payment.

Just as I was about to give up—literally in tears—success! I got the seasonal flu shot from my husband, a physician, who was able to get a syringe of vaccine from a colleague.

I hope I don’t face the same problems with the H1N1 vaccine. A pregnant colleague of mine in Washington D.C. was able to get the H1N1 vaccine at a walk-in clinic. Maybe I’ll end up traveling to D.C. for it in the end!

It’s true that the flu poses serious risks to pregnant women and their unborn. Unfortunately, like I found out, many pregnant women face unnecessary barriers to getting the vaccine.

—Doris Peter, manager, Consumer Reports Health Ratings Center

What about you? Have you had any problems finding someone to give you a flu vaccine? We’d like to hear about it.

Comments

[Chad]

Is it just me, or does this article seem a bit comical? The writer can't get a flu shot, yet is married to a physician, used to work for an MD, and goes to how many different doctors on a (implied) regular basis? I have to echo Paul's comment that the reason WHY the writer was refused the vaccine at all these locations is not detailed. If all of these doctors were refusing to administer the shot, there had to be a reason; otherwise, I'd get different doctors.

At the beginning of October, I walked in to my doctor's office and got the seasonal flu vaccine without a problem, or even a copay as the nurses just plugged it in to my file.

[Doris Peter]

Many physicians (non-obstetricians) are concerned about treating pregnant women - I assume it is fear of liability. I've heard obstetricians complain that internists either won't treat their pregnant patients or call asking very basic questions about treating pregnant women. I've also had primary care physicians admit to me that they've sent pregnant patients back to the obstetrician. Pregnant women end up feeling like ping-pong balls.

Note regarding the first comment on this blog - there is wide awareness of a shortage of seasonal flu vaccine. And in my last pregnancy, I was most certainly denied a flu shot because I was pregnant - this time I never got that far since there is a shortage.

[Carolyn H.]

I'm not following why the writer had trouble finding a flu shot, pregnant or not. We've had no shortage of shots or nasal spray vaccine for influenza in my community. (H1N1 is a different story.) She seems to be implying she was refused the shot because she's pregnant, which is mind-boggling as the ACIP specifically recommends the shot for pregnant women.
I was pregnant during the 2007 flu season and was shocked that my obstetrician also did not carry the flu shot (or the pertussis booster, recommended for parents of small children). Her reason? Not enough demand. Maybe because the obstetricians aren't educating their patients about the risks of flu for mom and baby. Obstetricians, gynecologists and pediatricians need to do a better job of serving the whole family when it comes to public health problems like flu and whooping cough.

[Paul]

Interesting, but WHY wouldn't various doctors give you the 'flu shot??