Are flu vaccines safe during pregnancy?

Yes, the flu vaccine is safe for you and your fetus. You cannot get the flu from the flu vaccine.

The CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) recommends that everyone 6 months of age and older get the flu vaccine each year. This includes pregnant women and women who are breastfeeding. If you are pregnant, it is best to get the vaccine early in the flu season, as soon as the vaccine is available. Pregnant women should get the vaccine as a shot, not a nose spray.

The flu vaccine is especially important during pregnancy. Pregnant women who get the flu can become much sicker than nonpregnant women who get the flu. The flu vaccine is your best protection. The vaccine also creates antibodies that are passed to your fetus. After birth, these antibodies protect your baby until he or she can get the flu shot at 6 months old.

See The Flu Vaccine and Pregnancy to learn more.

Copyright 2023 by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. All rights reserved. Read copyright and permissions information.

This information is designed as an educational aid for the public. It offers current information and opinions related to women's health. It is not intended as a statement of the standard of care. It does not explain all of the proper treatments or methods of care. It is not a substitute for the advice of a physician. Read ACOG’s complete disclaimer.