Can I Get a Flu Shot While Pregnant?

The short answer: Yes—and it's recommended! The CDC and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) advise that anyone who's pregnant during flu season get a flu shot in any trimester. It protects you from serious illness and passes protective antibodies to your baby, who can't get their own flu vaccine until 6 months old. Just skip the nasal spray version, which isn't recommended during pregnancy.

Between the prenatal appointments, the registry spreadsheets, and the ever-growing list of foods to skip, pregnancy can start to feel like one long list of questions to answer. And chief among them is the constant refrain: Is it safe? When it comes to the flu shot, the answer is refreshingly straightforward. Getting vaccinated is one of the simplest, most effective things you can do to protect yourself and your baby-to-be. Here's what the research says—and what to know before you roll up your sleeve.

Is it safe to get a flu shot while pregnant?

Yes. The flu shot isn't just considered safe during pregnancy—it's actively recommended. The CDC advises that pregnant people receive an inactivated or recombinant flu vaccine (both given as a shot) at any point in pregnancy, before or during flu season. ACOG strongly recommends flu vaccination for everyone who is pregnant, postpartum, or planning a pregnancy, in coordination with the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), and the Infectious Diseases Society of America.

That recommendation rests on a deep well of evidence. Flu shots have been given to millions of pregnant people over more than 50 years with an excellent safety record. Large studies have looked specifically at the outcomes expecting parents worry about most:

• Miscarriage: A CDC-funded Vaccine Safety Datalink study covering three flu seasons found no association between flu vaccination and miscarriage—including among people who were also vaccinated the season before.
• Stillbirth: A separate analysis of nearly 4,000 pregnancies found no link between flu vaccination during pregnancy and stillbirth.
• Birth defects: A study of more than 425,000 births—including nearly 53,000 babies whose parents were vaccinated in the first trimester—found no increased risk of major structural birth defects after early-pregnancy flu vaccination.

Why is the flu riskier during pregnancy?

Pregnancy changes the way your body responds to infections, which is why a bug that might knock a nonpregnant adult out for a few days can hit harder when you're expecting. The flu is more likely to lead to hospitalization during pregnancy, and the elevated risk of serious complications extends into the postpartum period, too.

The flu may also affect your developing baby. Fever—one of the hallmark flu symptoms—has been associated in some studies with neural tube defects and other adverse outcomes. Fortunately, vaccination makes a real dent in that risk. A study of pregnant people in four countries found that the flu shot reduced the risk of being hospitalized with flu during pregnancy by an average of 40%.

How does the flu shot protect your baby?

The flu shot you get during pregnancy does double duty! Babies can't receive a flu vaccine until they're 6 months old, yet they're among the people most vulnerable to serious flu complications. When you get vaccinated, your body makes antibodies that cross the placenta, so your newborn arrives with some built-in protection. And if you breastfeed, antibodies are shared through your breastmilk, too.

That protection is measurable. A study in JAMA Pediatrics that tracked infants at seven U.S. pediatric medical centers found that flu vaccination during pregnancy lowered the risk of flu-related hospitalizations and emergency department visits in babies younger than 6 months by about one-third. For the youngest babies (those under 3 months), the risk was cut roughly in half.

Are there any flu shot risks or side effects?

For most people, flu shot side effects are mild and short-lived. The most common reactions include soreness, redness, tenderness, or swelling where you got the shot, plus a low-grade fever, headache, or muscle aches. When they happen, these side effects typically start soon after vaccination and last one to two days. Serious allergic reactions are very rare.

A few other things are worth knowing:

• The nasal spray is a no-go (for now): The nasal spray flu vaccine (FluMist) contains a weakened live virus and shouldn't be used during pregnancy—but it's fine to use after you give birth. ACOG also notes that the newly approved mRNA flu vaccine is not approved for use in pregnancy. Stick with the traditional flu shot.
• Egg allergies aren't a dealbreaker: People with an egg allergy of any severity can receive any age-appropriate flu vaccine, with no extra precautions beyond those used for everyone.
• Some histories warrant a conversation first: If you've ever had a severe allergic reaction to a flu vaccine or developed Guillain-Barré syndrome within six weeks of a flu shot, talk with your healthcare provider before getting vaccinated.

When should I get the flu shot during pregnancy?

Any trimester is fine—there's no stage of pregnancy when the flu shot is off-limits. What matters more is timing within flu season. For most people, September and October are the sweet spot, with the goal of getting vaccinated by the end of October. A few timing nuances from the CDC:

• If you're in your third trimester in July or August, it's reasonable to get vaccinated early if the shot is available. Early vaccination can help protect your baby during their first months of life.
• If you're in your first or second trimester in July or August, it's generally better to wait until September or October, since protection can wane over a long season. (The exception: If you're worried you won't be able to get vaccinated later, go ahead.)
• If October has come and gone, it's not too late. Vaccination is still worthwhile as long as flu viruses are circulating—and flu season can stretch as late as May.

Keep in mind that it takes about two weeks after vaccination for your body to build protection, so earlier in the season is better than later.

How to Get Your Flu Shot While Pregnant

• Go wherever is easiest: You can get vaccinated at your OB/GYN or midwife's office, a pharmacy, or a workplace clinic. There's no recommendation that pregnant people need special permission or a note from their doctor to be vaccinated outside the office.
• Bundle your shots, if you'd like: Flu, Tdap, RSV, and COVID-19 vaccines can safely be given at the same visit. (Learn more about vaccines during pregnancy and when each one is due.)
• Mention any allergies: Let whoever is giving the shot know about past vaccine reactions.
• Loop in your prenatal care team: If you're vaccinated at a pharmacy, let your provider know so it's added to your records.
• Take it easy afterward: Rest and stay hydrated if you feel achy for a day or so.

When to Call Your Doctor or Midwife

If you develop flu symptoms, call your healthcare provider right away. The CDC recommends prompt antiviral treatment for anyone who is pregnant and has suspected or confirmed flu. ACOG advises that treatment shouldn't be delayed while waiting on test results—and that it should be offered whether or not you've been vaccinated.

Get medical care immediately if you notice any of the emergency warning signs of flu complications, including:

• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• Persistent pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
• Persistent dizziness or confusion
• Seizures
• Not urinating
• Severe muscle pain, weakness, or unsteadiness
• Fever or cough that improves and then comes back or gets worse

After your shot, seek urgent care if you have signs of a serious allergic reaction, such as trouble breathing. These reactions are rare and, when they happen, usually occur within minutes to a few hours of vaccination.

And, of course, reach out about any symptom that feels severe or worries you.

Flu Shot During Pregnancy FAQ

Is the flu shot safe in the first trimester?

Yes. The flu shot is recommended in any trimester, including the first. Large studies have found no increased risk of major birth defects or miscarriage after flu vaccination in early pregnancy.

Can the flu shot give me the flu?

No. Flu shots are made with either an inactivated (killed) virus or a single protein from the virus, so they can't cause flu illness. A sore arm or mild achiness is a sign your immune system is doing its job.

Does the flu shot protect my baby?

Yes. The antibodies you make after vaccination pass to your baby during pregnancy, helping protect them from flu during their first months of life—before they're old enough for their own flu shot at 6 months.

I got a flu shot this season before I knew I was pregnant. Do I need another one?

No. Adults need just one dose of the current season's flu vaccine, and the CDC does not recommend a second dose regardless of when the first was given. If your pregnancy stretches into a new flu season, you'll want that season's updated shot.

Can I get a flu shot after giving birth or while breastfeeding?

Yes. If you didn't get vaccinated during pregnancy, it's a good idea to do so postpartum. Breastfeeding parents can get either the shot or the nasal spray, which can be used postpartum. (Wondering what to take if you do get sick? Here's a guide to cold and flu medicines that are safe while breastfeeding.)

Should my partner and other family members get a flu shot, too?

Yes! The CDC recommends a yearly flu vaccine for everyone 6 months and older and places special emphasis on household contacts and caregivers of babies younger than 6 months. Surrounding your newborn with vaccinated people—partners, siblings, grandparents, and babysitters—creates a protective bubble while their immune system is still getting up to speed. (Here's more on the flu shot for babies and the whole family.)

The Bottom Line

It's completely natural to think twice about everything that goes into your body during pregnancy. But when it comes to the flu shot, decades of research and every major medical organization point in the same direction: It's safe for you and your baby in any trimester, it lowers your risk of serious illness, and it gives your newborn protection they can't get any other way during their first months. Aim for a flu shot (not the nasal spray) in September or October—or as soon as you can if the season is already underway—and bring any questions to your OB/GYN or midwife. They're there to help you feel confident about your choice.

More on Vaccines and Pregnancy:

• Everything You Need to Know About Vaccines in Pregnancy
• Why Expecting Parents Need the Tdap Vaccine
• COVID Vaccines and Pregnancy: What Expecting Parents Need to Know
• The Importance of the Flu Shot for Babies...and You!
• 9 Common Vaccine Myths, Debunked!

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• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Interim Clinical Considerations for the Use of Seasonal Influenza Vaccines in the United States
• American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists: ACOG Releases 2026–27 Respiratory Virus Season Immunization Recommendations for Pregnant and Postpartum Individuals
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Flu & Pregnancy
• Inactivated Influenza Vaccine and Spontaneous Abortion in the Vaccine Safety Datalink in 2012–13, 2013–14, and 2014–15, Vaccine, Oct 2019
• Evaluating the Association of Stillbirths After Maternal Vaccination in the Vaccine Safety Datalink, Obstetrics & Gynecology, Dec 2020
• First Trimester Influenza Vaccination and Risks for Major Structural Birth Defects in Offspring, The Journal of Pediatrics, Aug 2017
• American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists: Influenza in Pregnancy: Prevention and Treatment
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Influenza Vaccine Benefits and Safety Considerations During Pregnancy or While Breastfeeding
• Influenza Vaccine Effectiveness in Preventing Influenza-Associated Hospitalizations During Pregnancy: A Multi-Country Retrospective Test Negative Design Study, 2010–2016, Clinical Infectious Diseases, May 2019
• Maternal Vaccine Effectiveness Against Influenza-Associated Hospitalizations and Emergency Department Visits in Infants, JAMA Pediatrics, Dec 2023
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Misconceptions About Seasonal Flu and Flu Vaccines
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Signs and Symptoms of Flu

Disclaimer: The information on our site is NOT medical advice for any specific person or condition. It is only meant as general information. If you have any medical questions and concerns about your child or yourself, please contact your health provider.