Flu vaccination has 90% effectiveness for pregnant women, fetuses+

TOKYO, Sept. 19 Kyodo -
Vaccination for seasonal influenza was found to have a 90 percent effectiveness
for pregnant women and their fetuses, with similar effects likely for
vaccination for the new flu as well, the National Center for Child Health and
Development said Saturday.

The rate refers to the probability of pregnant women successfully producing an
antibody against the flu virus so as to prevent infection or severe symptoms if
infected, and the baby in their wombs were also found to build up immunity as a
result, according to research conducted by the center.
Such research is rare around the world as pregnant women and their fetuses
require careful handling due to higher health risks, according to the
Tokyo-based center, which includes both a hospital and a research institute.
Koshi Yamaguchi, a doctor at the center who led the research, said, ''They did
not have side-effects either. The manufacturing method of the vaccine for the
new influenza is basically the same, so we can expect similar effects.''
The research involved studying the effects of several types of seasonal flu
vaccinations on 125 pregnant women, aged between 25 and 41 who were in their
15th to 39th week, who came to the center between 2007 and 2008.
For the women who responded positively to the vaccines, the research team also
found in tests conducted at childbirth that the babies had higher antibody
values than their mothers and that the value was higher for those whose mothers
were vaccinated in earlier stages of pregnancy.
Pregnant women and young children are among those expected to be given priority
in terms of vaccination for the new H1N1 strain of flu as they are at high risk
of being infected and falling into serious condition.
==Kyodo