- Flu Vaccine Information
Pregnant Women and Flu Vaccines
Posted on March 17, 2022
You want to protect yourself and your baby from getting sick. That protection can start during pregnancy. By getting vaccinated, you can protect yourself, your baby, and improve the health of your pregnancy.
One Vaccine Protects Two People
- Flu shots during pregnancy reduce the risk of flu-associated acute respiratory infection in pregnant people by 50%, which improves outcomes for both mom and baby
- Getting vaccinated reduces the risk of having the flu while pregnant – which can increase the risk of premature labor and delivery, hospitalization, or even death
- Flu shots reduce a pregnant person’s risk of being hospitalized with flu by 40%
Getting a Flu Vaccine During Pregnancy Protects your Baby After Birth
- Getting vaccinated protects your baby: since infants can’t receive a flu vaccine until they are six months of age, getting a flu vaccine in pregnancy is the best way to pass on protection to your newborn
- Studies show that babies born to mothers who’ve received a flu vaccine during pregnancy are 70% less likely to get sick with flu and 81% less likely to be hospitalized with flu
Vaccination During Pregnancy is Safe
- Millions of pregnant women over many years have safely received a flu vaccine
- There is NO increased risk for miscarriage after flu vaccination during pregnancy
- Flu vaccination is not associated with birth defects
Flu vaccines can be given during any trimester and pregnant people should receive the shot, not the mist.
