Flu shot in pregnancy: Is it safe? - Mayo Clinic

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Is it safe to get a flu shot during pregnancy

Answer From Julie A. Lamppa, C.N.M., R.N. 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 all women who are pregnant during flu season get a flu shot, regardless of their trimester. A flu shot during pregnancy can help: Prevent the flu and maternal complications. Changes in the immune system, heart and lungs during pregnancy make pregnant women more likely to experience severe illness from the flu. Getting a flu shot can prevent pregnant women from getting the flu. The flu shot also reduces pregnant women'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 your baby after birth. Infants are at increased risk of severe flu symptoms. But a flu vaccine can't be given until a baby is 6 months old. The antibodies you develop from a flu shot during pregnancy pass through the placenta - and 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 an inactivated virus, so it's safe for both mother and baby during any stage of pregnancy. The nasal spray vaccine isn't recommended for use in pregnant women. If you have concerns about the flu shot during pregnancy, talk to your doctor. With Julie A. Lamppa, C.N.M., R.N. Follow on Twitter: @JulieLamppa

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

Show transcript for video 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.

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Mayo Clinic offers flu shots in Arizona, Florida and Minnesota. Learn more about how to get your flu shot at Mayo Clinic

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Mayo Clinic Q&A podcast: Time for your flu vaccine - Related newsMayo Clinic Q&A podcast: Time for your flu vaccineFacts about the flu vaccine, COVID-19 - Related newsFacts about the flu vaccine, COVID-19 Flu and pregnancyFundal height and fetal growth ShareTweet Sept. 08, 2022 Show references Flu & pregnant women. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/vaccine/pregnant.htm. Accessed Aug. 18, 2021. Shakib JH, et al. Influenza in infants born to women vaccinated during pregnancy. Pediatrics. 2016; doi:10.1542/peds.2015-2360. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Committee on Obstetric Practice. Committee Opinion No. 732: Influenza vaccination during pregnancy. Obstetrics & Gynecology. 2018; doi:10.1097/AOG.0000000000002588. Grohskopf LA, et al. Prevention and control of seasonal influenza with vaccines: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices - United States, 2021-2022 influenza season. MMWR Recommendations and Reports. 2021; doi:10.15585/mmwr.rr7005a1. See more Expert Answers

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Flu shot in pregnancy Is it safe? Mayo Clinic