Researchers looking at whether pregnant women have a higher risk of miscarriage if they get a flu vaccine found no link between the shot and pregnancy loss, according to a study cited by STAT.
The finding contradicts an earlier study by the same researchers that raised questions about flu shot safety during pregnancy, according to STAT.
An overview of the study findings was presented Feb. 27 at a meeting of the advisory committee on immunization practices, which guides vaccination policy for the CDC.
The new study was bigger than the initial analysis and was specifically designed to look at this question, leading the researchers to express confidence in the new findings. They are submitting the data to a peer-reviewed journal.
"For women right now who are wondering if it's safe to get a vaccine in early pregnancy, we can say unequivocally, 'Yes, it is safe,'" said Edward Belongia, MD, who was part of the research team and who heads the center for clinical epidemiology and population health at Wisconsin's Marshfield Clinic.