Flu Shot Safe During Pregnancy
Overview
Many people wonder if it is safe to get a flu shot during pregnancy. Health experts, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), agree that getting a flu shot while pregnant is safe and recommended. The flu shot helps protect both the pregnant person and their baby from the flu and its possible complications. During pregnancy, the immune system changes, which makes it easier to get sick and harder to recover.
The flu shot adds extra protection by lowering the risk of serious illness and hospital visits. Learning that flu shots are safe during pregnancy can help parents-to-be make healthy choices for themselves and their babies. With so much information out there, clear answers are important. Understanding why a flu shot is safe and how it protects mom and baby helps families feel confident about their decisions.
Benefits of Influenza Vaccination for Pregnant Women
Getting a flu shot during pregnancy has important benefits for both the mother and her developing baby. Pregnant women are more likely to have severe cases of influenza. Flu during pregnancy can lead to higher risks of hospitalization and serious complications like pneumonia.
A flu shot lowers a pregnant woman’s chances of getting the flu and reduces the risk of being hospitalized with the flu by about 40%. Preventing illness also supports a healthier pregnancy. Complications from the flu can include:
- Breathing problems
- Premature labor
- Low birth weight
- Increased chance of medical care
Flu vaccination during pregnancy helps protect newborns in the first months of life. Babies cannot get their own flu vaccine until they are six months old. Antibodies from the mother help give them protection until then. Flu shots have not been linked to birth defects. Studies show the vaccine is safe for both the pregnant mother and her developing baby.
| Benefit | Details |
|---|---|
| Reduced hospitalization. | Fewer hospital visits because of flu-related illness. |
| Lowered flu complications. | Decreased risk of pneumonia and other serious problems. |
| Passive immunity. | Protection for newborns until they can get vaccinated. |
| Support for a healthy pregnancy. | Fewer risks to the mother’s and baby’s health. |
Is the Flu Shot Safe During Pregnancy?
The flu shot is widely recommended during pregnancy to help protect both the mother and baby from the flu. Trusted public health organizations and experts support its use, and most health providers consider it standard care.
When Should Pregnant Women Get the Flu Shot?
Pregnant women can get the flu shot at any time during pregnancy, including the first, second, and third trimesters. Getting vaccinated before flu season begins helps provide protection throughout peak months.
Health authorities like the CDC, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), and the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommend the inactivated flu vaccine, not the nasal spray, for pregnant women. This inactivated version cannot cause the flu.
OB/GYNs and healthcare providers usually offer the shot as part of routine visits. Many pharmacies and clinics also offer the vaccine. Timing matters—ideally, women should get the shot as soon as it becomes available each year.
Miscarriage, Stillbirth, and Birth Defects
Many people worry about possible risks such as miscarriage, stillbirth, or birth defects. Multiple large studies, reviewed by groups like the CDC and ACOG, show the flu shot does not increase the risk of these outcomes. The inactivated flu vaccine does not raise the rate of pregnancy loss or birth problems.
In fact, getting the flu shot helps lower the risk of complications from influenza, which can be very serious for pregnant women and unborn babies. Pregnant women who get the flu face higher risks for hospital stays and severe illness. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and other leading health groups support vaccination, highlighting its well-established safety.
Potential Risks and Side Effects
The flu shot is considered safe for pregnant women, but mild side effects can happen. Common reactions include:
- Soreness, redness, or swelling at the injection site
- Mild fever
- Headache or muscle aches
- Feeling tired
These effects are usually mild and go away in a day or two. Severe allergic reactions rarely happen. The FDA and other organizations keep track of flu vaccine safety every year. Anyone allergic to ingredients in the shot (like egg protein) should tell their OB/GYN or healthcare provider. In most cases, the benefit of vaccination far outweighs any minor, short-term risks.
Which Vaccine Should I Get?
Pregnant people should get the inactivated influenza vaccine, also called the flu shot. This type of vaccine uses a killed virus, which helps protect against the flu without causing illness. It is important not to get the nasal spray flu vaccine. This means it contains a weakened form of the flu virus and is not recommended during pregnancy.
Some flu shots contain a preservative called thimerosal. Research shows thimerosal is safe during pregnancy, but for those who prefer, a thimerosal-free vaccine is often available. Patients can ask their health care provider if they want a thimerosal-free option. Here is a quick comparison for pregnant individuals:
| Vaccine Type | Safe in Pregnancy? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Inactivated Influenza Vaccine | Yes | Flu shot, contains killed virus |
| Nasal Spray Flu Vaccine | No | Live virus, avoid in pregnancy |
| Thimerosal-Free Vaccine | Yes | Available if preferred |
The best time to get the flu shot is anytime during pregnancy. Protection helps both the pregnant person and the baby. Healthcare providers recommend asking about the flu shot each flu season.
Considerations for Breastfeeding and Postpartum Women
Flu shots help new mothers and those breastfeeding by lowering the risk of getting sick and protecting young infants. Health experts recommend the vaccine during this time.
Flu Vaccination While Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding women can safely receive the flu shot, whether the vaccine is the injected (inactivated) type or the live, inhaled type. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other organizations confirm that flu shots do not harm breast milk or change its safety. Flu vaccines do not pass live virus or harmful components into breast milk.
Health care providers often recommend the inactivated (injection) flu vaccine for nursing mothers since it’s well-studied and considered safe. Getting the flu shot during the postpartum period helps reduce infection risk. The CDC note that women do not need special precautions or waiting periods for breastfeeding after vaccination. Women should keep breastfeeding as usual after receiving the flu vaccine.
Benefits for Infants and Mothers
When mothers get the flu shot while breastfeeding, they develop antibodies and pass them to their babies through breast milk. Benefits for infants include:
- Lower chances of getting the flu.
- Extra protection for babies who are too young for their own vaccine (under 6 months old).
- Fewer severe health problems from flu infections.
Breastfeeding and getting the flu shot also help mothers stay healthy by reducing the risk of flu-related problems, especially in the first few weeks after birth. When mothers get vaccinated, they can keep caring for and feeding their babies with less risk of serious illness.
