Flu shot during pregnancy

Can flu shot harm the unborn baby? Why flu shots are more important when pregnant? Which flu vaccine can pregnant women get? Flu is more likely to cause severe illness in pregnant women than in women of reproductive age who are not pregnant.

Changes in the immune system, heart, and lungs during pregnancy make pregnant women (and women up to two weeks postpartum ) more prone to severe illness from flu , including illness resulting in hospitalization. The flu is more likely to cause severe illness in pregnant women than in women who are not pregnant.

Getting the flu during pregnancy increases your risk of becoming hospitalized. Your baby can’t get a flu shot until months of age. A flu shot decreases your risk of getting the flu during your pregnancy. However, if you get the flu vaccine during pregnancy you will pass antibodies to your baby that will protect him or her from the flu in the first few months of life. Flu vaccination is safe during pregnancy.

Postpartum women, even if they are breastfeeding, can receive either type of vaccine. What’s more, it lowered the risk of being sick with the flu during delivery. So not only is the flu shot safe, there are direct benefits to the unborn child.

It’s safe to get a flu shot at any time during pregnancy. For best protection, get the flu shot annually by the end of October. The seasonal flu shot has been given safely to millions of pregnant women over many years and has not been shown to cause harm to expecting moms or their babies. Babies cannot get the flu vaccine until they are months old.

When you get a flu shot during pregnancy , the protective antibodies made in your body are transferred to your baby. These antibodies will protect your baby against the flu until he or she can get the vaccine at months of age. The nasal-spray flu vaccine is not recommended during pregnancy. Flu Pregnant women are more likely to have severe illness from flu , possibly due to changes in immune, heart, and lung functions during pregnancy. The nasal spray vaccine can be given to people through years of age.

Flu shots can be given to your child months and older. However, certain people with underlying medical conditions should not get the nasal spray vaccine. Your child’s doctor will know which vaccines are right for your child.

Studies of thousands of women, from around the worl who have received the flu shot just before or during pregnancy have found no increased chance for birth defects, other pregnancy complications such as premature delivery or low birth weight, or health problems in a child after delivery. For many years, ACOG and the CDC have recommended that every pregnant woman receive a flu shot in any trimester. Multiple published studies, as well as clinical experience, have all supported the belief that the flu vaccine is safe and effective during pregnancy. The CDC and ACOG agree it’s safe to get the flu shot at any point during your pregnancy.

Flu During Pregnancy : Symptoms, Prevention, and Vaccinations.

During pregnancy , changes occur in your immune system, heart, and lungs. Additional stress is put on the heart and lungs as the lung capacity decreases and heart rate increases during pregnancy. In fact, you definitely should get it: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that all moms-to-be get the flu shot to keep safe during flu season.