A vaccine is expected to become available in September.
At present, swine flu vaccine is not recommended for babies under 6 months of age. Pregnant women have not usually been given flu shots in Finland. However, the situation might change if the flu situation becomes serious.
Researcher Hanna Nohynek of the National Institute for Health and Welfare says that the H1N1 epidemic might not necessarily behave in the same way as the more usual seasonal flu outbreaks do.
“We are constantly getting more information, and we need to alter the vaccination plans accordingly. Naturally we need information on how safe, and how prone to the creation of antibodies the new vaccine is.”
Vaccines for Pregnant Mothers Also Considered
Experts say that vaccinating pregnant women could also protect their babies.
“If the mothers are vaccinated, then there will be protection of the children through her antibodies up to the age of about six months” Nohynek says.