Should pregnant women get immunized against influenza?

Yes, health officials recommend influenza immunization for women who are pregnant or will be pregnant during the flu season (additional information about vaccination recommendations is available here). Pregnant women are at increased risk for complications from influenza, also called the flu. Complications include pneumonia, hospitalization, and even death.

Pregnant women can be immunized during any trimester with the inactivated, injectable influenza vaccine (they should not receive the nasal spray vaccine).

Is immunization safe for pregnant women and their fetuses?

Immunization is the best and safest way for pregnant women to protect themselves, their developing babies, and newborns from influenza. There is no evidence of risk to a developing baby from inactivated vaccines given to the mother.

When should pregnant women get the influenza vaccine?

Influenza circulates in the United States during the fall and winter each year. It’s impossible to tell when activity will begin in a given area, so it is important to get immunized as soon as vaccine is available in your community.

Once I have my baby, how can I make sure he or she is protected?

You can actually start protecting your baby before he or she is born by getting immunized against influenza yourself. Keeping yourself healthy throughout pregnancy is a positive step toward having a healthy newborn.

Infants can’t be immunized against influenza until they’re at least 6 months of age, but they are particularly vulnerable to severe complications from influenza. The best way to protect them is by making sure the people in close contact with them are immunized, including parents, grandparents, and in-or-out-of-home caregivers.

Beginning at 6 months of age, all children should be immunized against flu. Infants need two doses one month apart to be protected against influenza. Parents and caregivers should talk to their child’s pediatrician or other healthcare professional about how many doses their child needs this season.