Any of you girls unknowingly get the H1N1 Nasal vaccine while pregnant?

I ended up getting the H1N1 nasal mist yesterday from my primary. Just curious to see if anybody was/is in my shoes.

I didn't know the nasal form of the vaccine wasn't approved for pregnant women. I hadn't really researched it because it seemed most MDs and clinics were giving out the injection form.

Here's my backstory:

When I found out I was preggers, I called my primary to get on the H1N1 list. I heard him tell his patients that pregnant women were getting the vaccine first, so when I called to get on the list, I made a point to tell them that I was indeed pregnant. They told me they would make a note of it on their list.

A couple days later they call me to tell me that they will be offering the vaccine on Friday between 9-11am and to just show up. Now I assumed that they just called pregnant women and those with compromised immune systems first because my mother also goes to this doctor and she's on the list as well AND she's closer to the beginning of the list because she signed up months before me but didn't receive the phone call about the H1N1 vaccine being offered.

I show up on Friday and tell them I'm there for the vaccine. I never stated I was pregnant because again, I assumed everybody coming was either pregnant or with compromised immune systems. Plus, it was supposed to be noted already. My primary's wife (they share the practice together) was the one administering the vaccine. She pulls out the nasal mist and informs me that's what I'll be receiving. I stated I was a bit nervous about getting a live virus and was hesitant BUT she assured me that it was perfectly safe and that millions had received it before me with no problems. I figured "Hey, they're doctors, they must know if it's ok or not." Again, the whole time I'm assuming they know I'm pregnant. I was never given any forms to review regarding the risks, etc.

So once I got in my truck I called my DH to tell his brother (a very knowledgeable MD who runs a Boston Hosp.) that I received the nasal vaccine instead of the injection. Again, I had no idea it wasn't approved for pregnant women, so I was thinking everything was cool.

I didn't get a call back from my DH...that's when I knew things weren't right.

My BIL was furious that I received that form of the vaccine b/c in his hosp., it's their policy to not give it to pregnant women under any circumstances. He started contacting a bunch of his colleagues to (infectious control, peds, etc.) to see what they thought and what I should do going forward.

My DH called my primary to find out WHY they gave me a vaccine that specifically states "Not Approved for Pregnant Women", but they refused to speak with him b/c of HIPPA, so he told them they best call his wife to explain to her their rational before she discovered this stuff out on the internet. About 10 minutes later I received a call from my MD (not the one who gave me the vaccine) standing by his decision, stating that there is a shortage of vaccines and weighing the risks, it was best to have the nasal vaccines as opposed to none at all and that he would have done the same for his wife, sister or daughter.

Now I've been told by both my BIL and MD that there is no shown risks to the fetus, that basically there's a chance I could come down with the virus within the next 48 hours.

What pisses my BIL off is that my MD decided to us a med that was unapproved for it's usage AND that they never told me the risks and gave me the choice to decline it. My BIL and DH think I should report him to the NYS Dept. of Health and let them look into it.

What bugs me is that I don't know if this was an error on their part (where they didn't realize I was pregnant) and my MD doesn't want to admit to it for fear of liability OR if this is what they're giving pregnant women (which is a scary thought and why I'm truly considering call the NYSDOH)!?!


What makes this even worse is that I'm angry with myself. I didn't trust my gut which was telling me not to take it. What if this was something more serious!?! What if this was my kids!?! Ugh.

Message edited 11/28/2009 10:06:19 AM.

Re: Any of you girls unknowingly get the H1N1 Nasal vaccine while pregnant?

Honestly, I understand why your BIL is so upset. Everything I have seen says the same thing, and I do think your doctor is trying to cover his asssss right now.

I would report them just for them to investigate and try to find out more info for you - I hope everything turns out ok and it won't matter in the end.

Re: Any of you girls unknowingly get the H1N1 Nasal vaccine while pregnant?

I believe the reason the mist isn't approved for pregnant women is b/c it contains a live virus and the risk of you actually getting the flu or flu like symptoms is increased...but its not definite you will get the flu.
At this point...unfortunately you can't take it back so in the next 2 days do everything to keep yourself healthy. Drink lots of OJ, avoid crowded areas if possible and ask your OB if there is anything else you can do.

Re: Any of you girls unknowingly get the H1N1 Nasal vaccine while pregnant?

Honestly as soon as i would have gone into the doctors office i would have told them you were pregnant...I was very against getting this shot so I did a lot of research and knew NOT to get the nasal mist...that being said dont get upset you are fine..you may get sick but not even close to the real h1n1.. stressing yourself is much worse for you and your baby

Re: Any of you girls unknowingly get the H1N1 Nasal vaccine while pregnant?

tht is an error on yoour pcps offive they knew u were n didnt look at the chart

Re: Any of you girls unknowingly get the H1N1 Nasal vaccine while pregnant?

Wow I would be so upset. I think you should definitely report them. The fact that it is not approved for pregnant women has been stated over and over again. They should know better and should have explained this before giving it to you. I would think that if you were to have taken it, after all was explained to you they would have made you sign something, so that they would not be liable if something happened to you or the baby. This was not done, so I think it was a mistake on their part. I hope that everything is ok with you and your LO.

Re: Any of you girls unknowingly get the H1N1 Nasal vaccine while pregnant?

Re: Any of you girls unknowingly get the H1N1 Nasal vaccine while pregnant?

I would be upset and report them! How horrible of them! I am against any type of flu shot right now so would've flipped if that happend to nme!

Re: Any of you girls unknowingly get the H1N1 Nasal vaccine while pregnant?

I agree with what the OP have said about why the nasal vaccine is not used in pregnant women since there is a slight chance of coming down with the flu. I do not think there is a risk to the fetus. Also, I am sure there are women out there who got the vaccine only to find out days later they were pg!

As for reporting your doctor, I do not think you have the right to. Yes, you told his office staff you were pregnant over the phone but they may not have written it in your chart. Unless you know it was written in your chart and they chose not to look at it or were completely overlooking it, then I do not think your doctor was completely at fault. I know hindsight is 20/20 and that you are kicking yourself for not telling them again that you were pregnant but now you know for the future that you are your only advocate for your health.

Message edited 11/28/2009 11:42:37 AM.

Re: Any of you girls unknowingly get the H1N1 Nasal vaccine while pregnant?

I wouldn't worry too much. I know we have compromised immune systems so it's not exactly the same, but I know a TON of children who had live vaccines and none that came down with the flu from exposure. Also, it is a good point that there are probably many women who got the live and then got a bfp very soon after. On top of that reasoning there is also the point that many preg women DO get H1N1 and are FINE- Google the statistics and you should feel a bit better. After a lot of research that includes the kinds of info that might ease your worry- I chose to not even get the vaccines period.

It is hard to say whether you should report the Dr. On one hand it seems like common sense to remind the Dr. face to face that you are pregnant as soon as he walks into the exam room. It certainly wouldn't hurt to say the words, "I am pregnant" to the actual Dr. b/c office staff can be overwhelmed with calls and or just be flighty people.

I recently had a bad sore throat and called my OB's office. I said to the woman that answered, "This is Brina X and I wanted to know what I should do about a sore throat I have had for a few days". In other words I was asking, should I come in to your office? To my primary? Maybe the Dr. will want to call me in an rx? Maybe I should pick up something over the counter for now? Etc. She put me on hold for 5 minutes (I know she didn't tell the Dr. I was on the phone b/c he knows my name) and she comes back and says all snotty, "um, do you know this is an OBGYN office", "Yes, I do, I am six months pregnant!". So anyway, you get my point. There isn't always a lot of common sense there. This woman actually thought I was just a random person calling a random Dr. to complain about my sore throat.

Anyway, back to you- the other side is that the secretary SHOULD act as an extension of the Dr.- and the information SHOULD have been written in your file/chart and reviewed by the Dr. So, yes you technically DID inform them and even though you probably couldn't prove it- if you could- I DO believe you would have a legitimate complaint.

As for knowing that pregs shouldn't get live shots- yes it is nice to inform yourself but no, I don't think anyone should be expected to brush up on their medical knowledge before a Dr. visit- after all that is why we seek a professional in the first place.

Re: Any of you girls unknowingly get the H1N1 Nasal vaccine while pregnant?

Ok, so I read your post but not the responses, so I may be repeating here...if it was an honest mistake (they didn't know you were preggers) that's one thing. But it sounds like they were telling you, oh no big deal...that seems unethical to me, to give a pregnant woman a vaccin/mediacation that is not approved for pregnant women without explaining the benefits/risks to her before hand. I would ask your BIL who to report them to. Good luck, chances are that you will NOT get sick...just keep resting, hydrating and drinking your OJ for now.