Pregnant Mothers To Get Free H1N1 Vaccine At Civic Hospitals In Maharashtra

Expectant mothers are at higher risk of being infected with H1N1 virus. The Civic in Thane, Maharashtra has stocked up H1N1 vaccines and started administering free vaccinations to pregnant women with flu symptoms. About 200 vaccines have been set aside for mothers-to-be to ensure that they are at a lesser risk of being infected with swine flu. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday - 3 days in a week are allotted by hospitals for vaccinations and women who come for check-ups have been informed about it. Women who are between three to nine months pregnant can go for the vaccination

A single jab was found to be effective for eight months to a year and gives anywhere between 70% to 90% protection from the three virus strains of H1N1, influenza B and H3N2. The vaccine in injected via muscle on the hand. In private hospitals these vaccinations cost between Rs 500 to Rs 1,000, whereas in government hospitals they are given for free.

Mahesh Bedekar, a city-based gynecologist said, "We recommend this vaccine to expecting mothers because it is very essential for them and getting infected with the virus is dangerous for the mother and the child as they will suffer multiple complications."

Source-Medindia