Can I Get a Flu Shot While Pregnant Is it Safe? Cedars-Sinai Skip to content Close Select your preferred language English عربى 简体中文 繁體中文 فارسي עִברִית 日本語 한국어 Русский Español Tagalog Menu Close Call 1-800-CEDARS-1 toggle search form Close Share Email Print CS-Blog Cedars-Sinai Blog Can I Get a Flu Shot While Pregnant Oct 06, 2018 Cedars-Sinai Staff Share Tweet Post Are flu shots safe when you're expecting? Absolutely. It's flu season—which means you'll be hearing about the importance of flu shots for months to come. Experts say everyone 6 months of age and older should get vaccinated each year to protect against the flu, including pregnant women. We sat down with Dr. Sarah Kilpatrick, chair of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, to answer some common questions. Is it safe to get a flu shot while pregnant Dr. Kilpatrick: Absolutely—every pregnant woman should get a flu shot during flu season. "You're protecting yourself and you're protecting your baby." What are the benefits Dr. Kilpatrick: The benefits are particularly important in pregnancy. First, getting a flu shot significantly reduces your risk of getting flu for that season. Second, if you do get the flu and you had the flu shot, you're likely to not be as sick. Lastly, pregnant women actually get sicker with the flu than non-pregnant women. The chance of needing to be hospitalized, developing pneumonia, and the chance of dying are all higher in pregnant women if they get the flu. Additionally, if a pregnant mother gets a flu shot, it's less likely that her newborn would get the flu, because the newborn now has their mom's antibodies. You're protecting yourself and you're protecting your baby. Read: Is It a Cold or the Flu? Is there a link between flu shots and miscarriage Dr. Kilpatrick: The best data suggests that there's not a significant link between flu shots and miscarriage. What are the side effects and risks that I m taking if I get a flu shot while pregnant Dr. Kilpatrick: The side effects and risks are the same as any other time you get a flu shot. The shot can be a little painful, but not terrible. If you have an egg allergy, you shouldn't get a flu shot. It's a common misconception that the flu shot causes the flu—this is not true. Read: Do I Really Need a Flu Shot? Can breastfeeding women get flu shots Dr. Kilpatrick: Yes, breastfeeding women can get the flu shot. If I decide not to get the shot am I putting my baby at risk Dr. Kilpatrick: You're putting yourself at most risk. You're also theoretically putting the newborn at risk, because the baby will be born with no flu antibodies, and then the baby has a higher risk of getting the flu. "If you see your doctor during flu season, make sure to ask for a flu shot, because it’s the best thing for you and your baby." When should I get the shot Dr. Kilpatrick: Anytime. If you're pregnant during flu season during any trimester, you should get the shot. Is there anything else I need to know about getting the flu shot while pregnant Dr. Kilpatrick: It's really important for women to advocate for themselves about this. Your OB/GYN or primary care doctor may forget to remind you. If you see your doctor during flu season, make sure to ask for a flu shot, because it's the best thing for you and your baby. Another thing to remember is that if you have other children at home and you get the flu, you're at risk for giving it to your other kids. So if you get a flu shot, you're less likely to get the flu, and therefore less likely to get your other kids sick. Tags Pregnancy and Maternity Public Health Women's Health Expert Advice Cold and Flu Share Tweet Post Popular Categories Health + Wellness Science + Innovation Community Blog & Magazines catalyst Blog & Magazines Home CS-Blog Blog CS Magazine Cedars-Sinai Magazine discoveries magazine Discoveries Magazine Embracing our Community Embracing Our Community Blog & Magazines catalyst Blog & Magazines Home CS-Blog Blog Embracing our Community Embracing Our Community CS Magazine Cedars-Sinai Magazine discoveries magazine Discoveries Magazine Popular Topics Cancer Women's Health Heart Expert Advice Patient Stories Brain Make an Appointment Find a Doctor Schedule a Callback Call us 24 hours a day 1-800-CEDARS-1 Support Cedars-Sinai Make a Gift Volunteer Share Email Print Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility