What You Need to Know
- The flu shot provides safe, effective protection for pregnant women.
- The CDC recommends vaccines that are free of the preservative thimerosal; talk to your doctor or other medical provider if you have questions.
- In pregnant women, changes in the immune system, heart and lungs during pregnancy make them more prone to severe illness from flu.
- Flu also may be harmful for a pregnant woman’s developing baby. Fever – a common flu symptom – may be associated with neural tube defects and other adverse outcomes for a developing baby.
- The COVID vaccine is recommended as safe and efficient for people who are pregnant, breastfeeding or trying to get pregnant. The CDC recommends women talk with their doctor or other medical professional about the importance of COVID vaccination during pregnancy.
- In addition, RSV vaccination is recommended for pregnant women during weeks 32 through 36 of pregnancy.
- The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends vaccination during pregnancy against all three seasonal illnesses -- COVID-19, influenza and RSV. Scientific evidence underscores the safety and benefits of choosing to be vaccinated against these respiratory conditions, with the protection passed along from mother to baby.
More Information
Flu and Pregnancy
Vaccinating Pregnant Women Protects Moms and Babies
ACOG Recommended Maternal Vaccination Guidance