Pregnancy causes changes in the immune system, lungs, and heart that make pregnant people more likely to develop severe illness from the flu. It can lead to serious illnesses, like pneumonia, and cause pregnancy problems such as preterm birth. The flu shot is the best way to protect against the flu and reduces your chances of getting sick with the flu by up to 40%.

Pregnant people in their third trimester can get the flu vaccine in July or August for the best opportunity to protect their babies after birth during the flu season. September and October are generally good times for all other pregnant people to get vaccinated.

Yes! The vaccine causes the body to make antibodies against the flu virus. These antibodies are passed to the fetus through the placenta. Babies of vaccinated moms are born protected from the flu, keeping them safe from severe illness until they can get vaccinated at age 6 months.

The flu vaccine has a long track record of safety during pregnancy. Millions of pregnant people over the last decades have gotten vaccinated without major complications. Studies of thousands of people who got the flu shot before or during pregnancy show no increased risk of birth defects. The flu vaccine has not been found to cause miscarriage or premature labor.