TAIPEI: As the number of pregnant women suffering problems after receiving influenza A(H1N1) shots has increased, Taiwan Association of Obstetrics and Gynecology Chairman Tsai Hong-te suggested yesterday that women in their first trimester of pregnancy should not receive H1N1 shots.

Women in subsequent trimesters should take the advice of their doctors when deciding whether to get vaccinated, Tsai said.

Tsai, who is also director of the department of obstetrics and gynecology at Changhua Christian Hospital, said that as it is the first time Taiwan has produced H1N1 vaccine, pregnant women should be clearly advised of the possibility of negative reactions before they receive the shots.

Pregnant woman constitute a high-risk group that is vulnerable to H1N1 infection. Figures show that 10 percent of all H1N1 patients in the United States and 9.6 percent of all cases on the mainland were pregnant women, Department of Health (DOH) officials said early this month.

According to a weekly monitoring report released by the Central Epidemic Command Center a day earlier, there have been 16 cases of "suspected adverse events" among local pregnant women following H1N1 vaccinations, although initial investigations show that all the cases were unrelated to the vaccine.

China Daily/CNA

(HK Edition 01/14/2010 page2)