Flu Vaccine During Pregnancy - familydoctor.org (original) (raw)

An influenza (flu) vaccine is the best way to protect yourself from the flu, even when you are pregnant. The vaccine is safe for pregnant people. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that pregnant women get a flu shot (vaccine) at any time (or trimester) of their pregnancy.

A flu shot not only helps prevent you from getting the flu, but it also will protect your newborn baby from getting the flu, too. Research shows that the flu vaccine protects children for up to six months if their mothers get the vaccine while pregnant with them. This is because the mother’s antibodies (an important part of the immune system, which protects your body from illnesses and disease) stay in the baby’s system after they are born.

Even if you are healthy, you need a flu shot. When you are pregnant, there are normal changes to your immune system that make you more likely to become severely sick if you get the flu. Having the flu increases your risk of developing pneumonia, a serious condition. You are more likely to be hospitalized if you get the flu while pregnant. Having a severe case of the flu while you are pregnant can also be bad for your developing baby. It increases your risk for going into labor early. Additionally, some studies have shown that fever associated with having the flu has been tied to neural tube defects and other negative outcomes for a developing baby.

If you did not get a flu shot while you were pregnant, you can get a shot after, even if you are breastfeeding. The flu shot is safe for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. There is no increased risk of miscarriage when getting the vaccine during pregnancy.

Path to improved health

It’s best to get your flu shot each year before or during October. This ensures that you are protected before flu season is at its peak.

When you get a flu shot, the shot triggers your body to begin making antibodies to fight the viral infection. Antibodies are your body’s natural defense system used to help fight and kill harmful bacteria and viruses. It takes a few weeks after getting the flu shot for your body to develop the antibodies that will help ward off the flu. That is why it is important to get your flu shot in October or as soon as possible in the fall.

The American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) recommends that people 6 months and older should get a flu shot.

It is also important that anyone in close contact with your newborn baby be vaccinated against the flu. Other family members or caregivers should all get flu shots. They should be vaccinated to help prevent possibly passing the flu to the baby.