Is it safe to get a flu shot during pregnancy?

Answer From Mary Marnach, M.D.

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 anyone who is pregnant during flu season get a flu shot, regardless of the trimester.

A flu shot during pregnancy can help:

  • Prevent the flu and other health problems. Changes in the immune system, heart and lungs during pregnancy 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 reduces a pregnant person's chances of being hospitalized with the flu by about 40%.
  • Prevent potential fetal health problems due to the flu. Having a fever caused by the flu early in pregnancy might increase the risk of fetal birth defects and other fetal health problems.
  • Protect a baby after birth. Infants are at a higher risk of severe flu symptoms. But a flu vaccine can't be given until a baby is 6 months old. The antibodies that develop from a flu shot during pregnancy pass through the placenta. They also go through breast milk if you're breastfeeding. These antibodies help protect your baby from the flu after birth.

When you get vaccinated, request 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 for use during pregnancy.

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

With

Mary Marnach, M.D.

Mayo Clinic Minute: Why getting vaccinated for the flu is doubly important this season

DeeDee Stiepan: Getting your annual flu vaccine is especially important this season.

Gregory Poland, M.D., Infectious Diseases, Mayo Clinic: Where we have COVID spreading, we will very likely have influenza spreading.

DeeDee Stiepan: The flu vaccine won't protect against COVID-19 but it can help reduce the chance of getting the flu.

Dr. Poland: The symptoms of COVID and influenza overlap almost exactly in their initial manifestations with the exception of the loss of smell, loss of taste. That would be very unusual in influenza.

DeeDee Stiepan: Getting a flu vaccine helps rule out influenza if you develop respiratory issues and helps reduce stress on the health care system.

Dr. Poland: Every American, age six months and older, get a flu vaccine. An opportunity we have in the context of this twindemic is not only to get our flu vaccines but to remember these non-pharmaceutical interventions: the mask wearing, physical distancing. While they prevent COVID, they also decrease the risk of influenza.

DeeDee Stiepan: For the Mayo Clinic News Network, I'm DeeDee Stiepan.

Flu vaccines at Mayo Clinic

Mayo Clinic offers flu shots in Arizona, Florida and Minnesota.

Learn more about how to get your flu shot at Mayo Clinic

Related news

Sept. 01, 2023 See more Expert Answers

See also

  1. Air travel during pregnancy
  2. Allergy medications during pregnancy
  3. Ankle swelling during pregnancy
  4. Antibiotics and pregnancy
  5. Aspirin during pregnancy
  6. Pregnancy back pain
  7. Falling during pregnancy: Reason to worry?
  8. Fetal ultrasound
  9. Headaches during pregnancy: What's the best treatment?
  10. Iron deficiency anemia during pregnancy: Prevention tips
  11. Leg cramps during pregnancy
  12. Placenta
  13. Pregnancy acne
  14. Pregnancy and fish
  15. Pregnancy basics
  16. Pregnancy constipation
  17. Pregnancy diet: Essential nutrients
  18. Pregnancy due date calculator
  19. Pregnancy exercises
  20. Pregnancy nutrition don'ts
  21. Pregnancy stretches
  22. Pregnancy weight gain
  23. Pregnant. Now What Happens?
  24. Prenatal testing
  25. Prenatal vitamins and pregnancy
  26. Sex during pregnancy
  27. Twin pregnancy
  28. Vaccines during pregnancy
  29. Vaping during pregnancy
  30. Working during pregnancy
  31. X-ray during pregnancy