{"id":5719,"date":"2019-09-06T09:00:31","date_gmt":"2019-09-06T13:00:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=5719"},"modified":"2021-03-31T13:11:08","modified_gmt":"2021-03-31T17:11:08","slug":"flu-shot-while-pregnant","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/flu-shot-while-pregnant\/","title":{"rendered":"Can I get a flu shot while pregnant?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Pregnancy books can easily become a long list of foods and products that are unsafe for expectant mothers. Sushi? Nope. Unpasteurized milk? No way. Skin care products containing retinol? Uh-uh. There are so many things to avoid, it can be hard to keep track of what\u2019s allowed. With flu season on the horizon, many pregnant women may be wondering, \u201cCan I get a flu shot while pregnant?\u201d The short answer? Absolutely. Here are seven common questions.<\/span><\/p>\n

1. Is it safe to get a flu shot while pregnant?<\/span><\/h2>\n

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention<\/span><\/a>\u00a0(CDC) recommends that pregnant women get the flu vaccine to protect both themselves and their babies against the influenza virus, no matter how far along they are in their pregnancy. There are a <\/span>number of scientific studies<\/span><\/a> that examine vaccine safety during pregnancy. An overwhelming amount of data points say the flu vaccination is safe at any trimester of pregnancy.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

And, studies show that the risks of <\/span>not<\/span><\/i> getting the influenza vaccination are higher for pregnant women. The flu is more likely to lead to <\/span>severe illness<\/span><\/a> (sometimes life-threatening)\u2014like pneumonia\u2014during pregnancy. Additionally, it can increase <\/span>chances of miscarriage<\/span><\/a>, premature birth, birth defects, and low birth weight. An immunization each year reduces risk of getting the seasonal flu virus, and reduces severity if you are infected.<\/span><\/p>\n

RELATED: <\/b>Which prenatal vitamins do you need?<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

2. Should I get a flu shot while pregnant?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Not only <\/span>can<\/span><\/i> pregnant women get the flu shot, but they should <\/span>prioritize<\/span><\/i> getting the flu shot. \u201cStudies have shown that pregnant women who get the flu have more severe complications and an increased risk of being hospitalized compared to non-pregnant women,\u201d says Danielle Raiman Plummer, Pharm.D., creator of <\/span>HG Pharmacist<\/span><\/a>, a resource for women suffering from hyperemesis gravidarum (<\/span>extreme nausea and vomiting during pregnancy<\/span><\/a>). \u201cBenefits of getting vaccinated against the flu while pregnant include a decreased risk of neural tube defects caused by fever, the most common symptom of the flu.\u201d A <\/span>2018 study by the CDC<\/span><\/a> showed that getting the influenza vaccine reduced a pregnant woman\u2019s risk of hospitalization by 40% on average.<\/span><\/p>\n

3. Which flu shot is best for pregnant mothers?<\/span><\/h2>\n

One of the ingredients that causes some concern in patients is thimerosal, a mercury-based preservative that has been used in certain vaccines for decades.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThere is no evidence that flu shots that contain thimerosal are harmful,\u201d says Tangela Anderson Tull, MD, an OB-GYN with <\/span>Hoffman and Associates<\/span><\/a> in Baltimore, Maryland. But there are thimerosal-free flu shots available if that would put you at ease.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The one flu vaccine you should avoid while pregnant, Dr. Anderson Tull says is <\/span>FluMist<\/span><\/a>, the nasal spray flu vaccine.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

4. What are the side effects of the flu shot while pregnant?<\/span><\/h2>\n

The <\/span>side effects of the flu shot<\/span><\/a> are the same for pregnant women as for anyone who gets a flu vaccine. They are typically not severe, and could include:<\/span><\/p>\n