What to know
- Influenza (flu) during pregnancy is more likely to cause illness that results in hospitalization.
- If you are pregnant and experience flu symptoms, call your health care provider right away.
- CDC recommends prompt flu antiviral treatment during pregnancy for people with confirmed or suspected flu.
Flu and Pregnancy
Flu also may be harmful for a developing baby during pregnancy. (A common flu symptom is fever, which has been associated in some studies with neural tube defects and other adverse outcomes for a developing baby.)
Getting the flu shot during pregnancy can protect against flu and flu related hospitalizations. Flu vaccination during pregnancy also can protect babies for several months after birth against flu and flu-related hospitalizations because the pregnant mother passes antibodies on to the developing baby during pregnancy. When you get a flu shot while pregnant or breastfeeding your body develops antibodies against flu that are shared with your baby through breast milk.
Pre-Existing Conditions
If you are pregnant, there is no recommendation that you or people with pre-existing medical conditions need to get special permission or written consent from your doctor or health care professional for flu vaccination if you get vaccinated at a worksite clinic, pharmacy, or other location outside of your physician's office. You should not get nasal spray flu vaccine during pregnancy.
Best timing for vaccination
For most adults, September and October are generally good times to be vaccinated each year. Vaccination during July and August also can be considered during the third trimester of pregnancy, because this can help protect infants from flu for several months after birth (when they are too young to be vaccinated).
Vaccination is the best protection against flu
Getting a flu vaccine is the first and most important action a person can take to protect against flu and its potentially serious complications. If you are pregnant, you should get a flu shot and not the nasal spray flu vaccine.
- A 2013 study showed that during the 2010–2011 and 2011–2012 flu seasons vaccination reduced the risk of flu during pregnancy by up to one-half. These results are consistent with the general range of estimated flu vaccine effectiveness among adults 18-64 years.
- A 2018 study showed that getting a flu vaccine during pregnancy reduced the risk of being hospitalized with flu by an average of 40%. Getting a flu shot during pregnancy also helps to protect babies from flu illness and flu related hospitalizations for the first several months after their birth, when they are too young to get vaccinated.
Flu Vaccine Safety and Pregnancy
Flu shots have been given to millions of people during their pregnancies over more than 50 years with an excellent safety record. There is substantial evidence that flu shots are safe during pregnancy for mom and baby. CDC and ACIP recommend flu vaccination during any trimester of pregnancy.
Other Preventive Actions
In addition to getting a flu shot during pregnancy, you should take preventive actions including avoiding people who are sick, covering coughs and sneezes, and washing hands often. This also can include taking steps for cleaner air and hygiene practices like cleaning frequently touched surfaces.