Can You Get the Flu Shot While Pregnant

As parents, we do everything we can to protect our children and keep them healthy. Even before a baby is born, we do things such as taking prenatal vitamins and attending regular healthcare appointments. One step that may be overlooked is getting vaccines during pregnancy.

Getting certain vaccines, such as the flu shot, during pregnancy is beneficial for both you and your baby. But it's normal to double-check the safety of everything you put into your body while you're expecting. So if you're concerned about the safety of the flu shot in pregnancy, we've got you covered. Stick with us as we explain why the vaccine is both safe and recommended during pregnancy.

Can you get the flu shot while pregnant?

Yes, you can get the flu shot while pregnant. In fact, it's recommended by health experts in the U.S. and around the globe.

During pregnancy, there are added risks when it comes to getting sick. During pregnancy, your immune system changes so that it doesn't attack a developing fetus. While this change is necessary for a healthy pregnancy, it leaves you more susceptible to infections, such as the flu. It also makes you more prone to severe illness when you get sick.

Because of these risks, prevention is key during pregnancy. And the best way to help prevent the flu and its serious complications is by getting an annual flu vaccine.

Which flu vaccines should you avoid during pregnancy?

While most flu vaccines are safe during pregnancy, there's one that's not recommended. You should avoid receiving FluMist, the nasal spray flu vaccine, if you're pregnant.

FluMist is a live, attenuated vaccine. This means that the virus in the vaccine is weakened. All other available flu vaccines are inactivated (contain dead virus) or recombinant (don't contain any virus particles). Live vaccines can help stimulate a stronger immune response. But if you're pregnant or have a weakened immune system, there's a theoretical risk that the virus could cause complications.

It's important to note that studies have not shown a significant risk of side effects with receiving FluMist during pregnancy. So if you received the nasal vaccine before you knew you were pregnant, the risk of problems is likely low. But more studies would be needed to confirm FluMist's safety in all stages of pregnancy.

To be safe, it's best to avoid FluMist if you're pregnant or trying to conceive. The injectable flu vaccines are a better choice. There is extensive evidence to support their safety.

What are the risks of getting a flu shot while pregnant?

The risks associated with getting an inactivated flu shot while pregnant are very low. Side effects are generally mild and temporary.

Common flu shot side effects include:

• Pain, redness, or swelling at the injection site

• Muscle aches

• Headache

• Flu-like symptoms (e.g., low-grade fever, nausea)

• Fainting or dizziness right after the injection

These side effects should resolve on their own within about 1 to 2 days after getting your flu shot. They don't mean you're getting sick from the shot or having an allergic reaction. They're a sign that your immune system is responding to the vaccine.

Very rarely, people have reported developing Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) after receiving a flu vaccine. GBS is a condition in which your immune system mistakenly attacks your nerves. It can cause weakness, a "pins and needles" sensation, or a loss of sensation through the skin. This typically resolves over several weeks. But in severe cases, it can lead to permanent paralysis.

The risk of developing GBS from a flu vaccine is very low. It's estimated that only up to 2 people out of every 1 million that receive the vaccine experience it. In fact, studies on vaccine safety have not found a clear link between flu vaccines and GBS.

Usually, the benefits of the flu shot far outweigh the risk of developing GBS. But if you're concerned, discuss it with your healthcare team.

Can a flu shot affect the baby?

Yes, the flu shot affects your baby - but in a good way.

When you receive the flu vaccine, your body makes antibodies (infection-fighting proteins). These antibodies pass through the placenta and reach your baby. And they protect your baby from the flu (and its complications) during the rest of your pregnancy and for a few months after birth.

This is crucial, as infants can't receive their first flu shot until they're 6 months old. Babies also don't have a fully developed immune system of their own at birth. So they're more likely to get sick during this time.

Getting your flu shot while pregnant can help protect your baby until they can get their own vaccine. In fact, research has found that getting a flu vaccine during pregnancy is over 90% effective at preventing infants from being hospitalized for the flu during the first 6 months of their lives.

Can a flu shot cause a miscarriage?

No, the flu shot doesn't cause a miscarriage. Multiple studies have found no link between getting a flu shot during pregnancy and a higher rate of miscarriage. Miscarriage rates were similar regardless of whether someone received a flu vaccine.

This concern stems from a very small study that looked at flu vaccines given between 2010 and 2012. The study found a higher rate of miscarriages in participants who got vaccinated during early stages of pregnancy. In particular, it noted this trend in those who received the vaccine for the 2009 pandemic swine flu the previous year.

The authors of the study noted that the evidence they found was not enough to definitively link receiving a flu vaccine with a risk of miscarriage. They simply recommended that experts study this topic further - which scientists have. Since that initial study, other larger studies have been conducted. And these studies have found no link between flu vaccines and miscarriage rates.

Good to know: Getting sick with the flu during pregnancy is linked to a higher rate of pregnancy loss. The benefits of getting the flu vaccine during pregnancy far outweigh the risk of potential flu complications that can happen while you're expecting.

Who should not get a flu shot during pregnancy?

The flu shot is recommended for just about everyone. But if you've experienced a life-threatening allergic reaction to a flu (or other) vaccine in the past, you might not be able to receive it.

You should still discuss it with your healthcare team, though. Different vaccine manufacturers use different inactive ingredients when producing flu shots. There may be a vaccine available that doesn't contain the substance you're allergic to.

Speak with a healthcare professional before getting the flu shot if you have:

• A life-threatening egg allergy

• A history of GBS

• A history of an allergic reaction to any vaccine, even if it wasn't life-threatening

• Symptoms of a current infection, such as a fever, vomiting, or diarrhea

If any of the above risks apply to you, you'll likely still be able to get the flu shot. But you may need to take extra precautions or receive a specific flu vaccine.

What are the benefits of getting a flu shot while pregnant?

There are several possible benefits when it comes to getting a flu shot. These include:

• Preventing you from getting sick with the flu

• Reducing the severity of your symptoms if you do get sick with the flu

• Reducing the risk of hospitalization due to the flu

• Preventing you from spreading the flu virus if you get sick with it

These benefits apply to everyone who gets vaccinated. But as discussed earlier, when you receive your shot, you're also protecting your baby both during pregnancy and after birth. This helps protect your baby when their immune system is still developing.

What other vaccines are safe during pregnancy?

There are many vaccines that are safe to receive during pregnancy, including:

• COVID-19 vaccines

• Tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (Tdap)

• Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)

• Hepatitis A

• Hepatitis B

• Meningococcal (meningitis)

• Polio

It's possible that you've already received many of these vaccines. Some, such as polio and hepatitis B, are routine vaccinations that many people receive during childhood. But if you haven't received them, it would be safe to do so while expecting.

Other vaccines, particularly COVID and Tdap, are recommended during pregnancy. In fact, you should get a Tdap shot during every pregnancy. As with the flu shot, getting these vaccines provides protection to babies while you're pregnant and for several months after birth.

When can you get a flu shot while pregnant?

It's ideal to get your flu shot during September or October every year, regardless of whether you're pregnant. But if you're in the third trimester of pregnancy (weeks 27 to 40) during July or August, you can get it during these months. The thought is that it's better to be vaccinated before you give birth, rather than try to wait for a certain time of the year.

Keep in mind that flu shots are safe to receive during all stages of pregnancy. So if you got yours before you knew you were pregnant, that's OK.

How to save on the flu shot

There are ways to save on the flu shot. Many health insurance plans fully cover the cost of flu shots. But if you're uninsured or underinsured, GoodRx can help you save. You can find flu shot prices as low as $24 with a free GoodRx discount. There are also many programs available to help you access low-cost or free flu vaccines.

Is the flu shot free during pregnancy?

If you have insurance, there's a good chance that your flu shot is free, whether you're pregnant or not. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) requires most insurance plans to fully cover vaccines, including the annual flu shot.

If you don't have insurance, there are a number of resources available to help lower the cost of your flu shot. Many state health departments and community health centers offer ways to make your vaccines more affordable. You can use locator tools through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and National Association of Free and Charitable Clinics to help find a community health center near you.

Frequently asked questions