Pregnancy and Flu

Getting a flu shot when you’re expecting may help your child stay healthy after birth. One simple step – which takes seconds to do – can help keep your baby safe from the flu after they’re born.

When the mothers have a flu vaccination during pregnancy, their babies are about 48 percent less likely to need to be hospitalized for the flu. Millions of pregnant women have had the flu vaccine, which has not been found to be harmful to the mom or the baby.

The flu poses special health threats to pregnant women. Babies are also at high risk of flu-related complications, but they can’t be vaccinated against the disease until they’re 6 months old.

New research supports the later benefits when pregnant women get a flu shot. The study, published in the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology, included 1,510 babies who were hospitalized with flu-like symptoms before the age of 6 months. Testing found that most didn’t actually have the flu, however.

According to the CDC, pregnant women can have a flu shot at any point during any trimester. The organization also points out that millions of pregnant women have had the flu vaccine, which has not been found to be harmful to the mom or the baby.