The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has declared an influenza (flu) epidemic in the United States. It is important that you highly recommend to pregnant and postpartum patients that they receive an inactivated flu vaccine. This vaccine is the first and most important step to flu prevention; although the prevalent strain was an unexpected one this year, and is therefore not included in the current vaccine, the vaccine does appear to provide some protection. Prompt antiviral treatment is the second line of defense in reducing flu complications and death.

For more information, please read the complete The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists press release.

Note: Some prefilled flu vaccine syringes have latex caps, so it's important to check before using on latex-allergic patients.