Flu shot in pregnancy: Is it safe?

Answer Section

Yes, it's safe to get a flu shot during pregnancy. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommend that people who are pregnant during flu season get a flu shot no matter what trimester they're in.

A flu shot during pregnancy can help:

• Prevent the flu and other health problems in pregnant people. Changes in the immune system, heart and lungs make pregnant people more likely to become seriously ill from the flu. Getting a flu shot can help prevent the flu during pregnancy. The flu shot also lowers a pregnant person's chances of being hospitalized with the flu by about 40%.
• Prevent fetal health problems due to the flu. Having a fever caused by the flu early in pregnancy might raise the risk of health conditions present at birth and other health problems in an unborn baby, called a fetus.
• Protect a baby after birth. Infants are at a higher risk of serious flu symptoms. But babies can't get a flu vaccine until they're 6 months old. The antibodies that develop from a flu shot during pregnancy pass through the placenta. They also go through breast milk. These antibodies help protect babies from the flu after they are born.

When you get vaccinated, ask for the flu shot — not the nasal spray vaccine. The flu shot is made from a virus that is not active. That makes it safe during any stage of pregnancy. The nasal spray vaccine isn't recommended during pregnancy.

If you have questions about the flu shot during pregnancy, talk with a member of your healthcare team.