If you’re pregnant, it’s important to take steps to avoid getting the flu. Not only is the flu a serious illness, but babies can’t get vaccinated against the flu in their first 6 months. That’s one of the main reasons that it’s important you get a flu shot.
Flu shot facts for expectant mothers:
- Pregnancy weakens your immune system, making it easier for you to catch the flu.
- Expectant mothers who get a flu shot are less likely to get sick from the flu than those who don’t get vaccinated.
- Getting a flu shot while you’re pregnant also protects your unborn baby.
- This protection stays in your baby’s system for months after birth.
Still undecided? Consider these facts*:
- The flu shot has been safely given to millions of pregnant women over many years.
- Getting the flu while pregnant can increase the likelihood of complications like premature birth.
- The vaccine may cause mild side effects, which typically pass within a couple of days: redness or soreness at the site of the shot, mild fever, minor rash and headaches.
Your flu shot protects others, too
The elderly, small children, and people with compromised immune systems, such as newborns and pregnant women, face a greater risk of severe complications from the flu. By getting vaccinated, you’ll not only protect yourself and your baby, but also other vulnerable people in your life from a serious, contagious illness.
For information about ways to avoid getting the flu, how to recognize when you have the flu, and what to do if you get it, click here.
