I just found out that I'm 6 weeks pregnant. Do I need to get the flu vaccine
or will it affect my pregnancy?
– Eliza*
Health experts recommend the flu vaccine
for all women who:
- are pregnant
- are thinking about getting pregnant
- have recently given birth
- are breastfeeding during flu season
Pregnancy leads to changes in a woman's body. The immune
system becomes a bit weaker. That makes it easier for pregnant women to catch
any bug that's going around. And changes in how the heart and lungs work during pregnancy
make it more likely that the flu will turn into a more serious problem, like pneumonia.
Studies have shown that the flu shot is safe during pregnancy. The flu vaccine
also is available as a nasal spray, but it's not recommended for
pregnant women.
If you get flu-like symptoms before or after you've been vaccinated, call your
doctor right away. Pregnant women who catch the flu may need to take antiviral medicine
to lower the chances of developing other health problems.
*Names have been changed to protect user privacy.
Date reviewed: September 2020
