The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently published death rates from Influenza in 2017 and concluded that the country experienced the highest death rate in many years. Over 80,000 people died during the last year from the flu!
That is, of course, an alarming number, considering “it's jut the flu.” But the flu can be very virulent. Much larger numbers of people have died during flu pandemics and experts are warning that such a pandemic may be just around the corner. Together with the young and the old, pregnant women are considered at increased risk. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), therefore, strongly recommends that all women trying to conceive or already pregnant be immunized against Influenza this year. And so, should children, especially those in school or preschool. Flu shots have been demonstrated to save lives.
As long as our supply lasts, CHR offers Influenza vaccination not only to all of our staff but also to all of our patients, and strongly encourage all patients to become immunized. One of the reasons why last year’s death rate was so high, may have been the very low efficacy of last year’s shots. Which flu viruses are targeted in flu shots changes every year. This is the principal reason why flu shots, to a degree, are crapshoots.
Many months ahead of the flu season, experts gather in China to determine the Influenza strains that will, most likely, conquer the world in that year. China is the place, where most flu pandemics begin. The annual Influenza shot produced worldwide is then directed against those strains. Most of so-selected strains, however, do not become clinically relevant, while some never chosen by experts do. Depending on how correct or incorrect these predictions were, an annual Influenza shot may be more or less effective.
Worldwide efforts are underway to produce an Influenza vaccine that will be effective against all Influenza strains. While recent reports have been more optimistic about reaching this goal, we unfortunately, are still years away from such a universal flu shot.
We previously reported that CHR is conducting a prospective registered study that investigates potentially beneficial effects of flu vaccinations on female fertility and miscarriages. SCIENCE magazine also reported on this study. This flu vaccination study is still ongoing and seeking participants. All participants need to do is to get a (free) Influenza vaccination. A computer determines the timing of this shot, either before or after implantation.
As a quick reminder, the hypothesis of this study is that flu vaccinations, potentially, induce tolerance pathways that help embryos implant and prevent miscarriages. CHR investigators, moreover, will try to define these tolerance pathways immunologically. Confirmation of the proposed hypothesis would produce better implantation rates and lower miscarriage rates especially in women with implantation failure and increased miscarriage risks. Consequently, there is no downside to participating in the study, especially since The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) now strongly recommends Influenza shots for every woman who is trying to conceive or already is pregnant.
For further questions please contact us, either via phone at +1 212-994-4400 or online here.
Norbert Gleicher, MD, leads CHR’s clinical and research efforts as Medical Director and Chief Scientist. A world-renowned specialist in reproductive endocrinology, Dr. Gleicher has published hundreds of peer-reviewed papers and lectured globally while keeping an active clinical career focused on ovarian aging, immunological issues and other difficult cases of infertility.
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