Flu shot in pregnancy: Is it safe?

Yes, it's safe to get an influenza (flu) shot during pregnancy. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends a flu shot for anyone who's pregnant during flu season — typically November through January or even later — unless you've had a severe reaction to a previous flu vaccination.

Pregnancy puts extra stress on your heart and lungs. Pregnancy can also affect your immune system. These factors increase the risk not only of getting the flu but of developing serious complications of the flu, such as pneumonia and respiratory distress. In turn, flu complications increase the risk of premature labor, preterm birth and other pregnancy complications. A flu shot can help prevent these potential problems.

In addition, having a flu shot during pregnancy can help protect your baby after birth. Infants are at high risk of complications from the flu, but childhood flu vaccines can't begin until age 6 months. If you have a flu shot during pregnancy, however, the antibodies you develop will pass through the placenta. In turn, these antibodies help protect your baby from the flu.

When you get your flu shot, be sure to request the flu shot and not the nasal spray vaccine. The flu shot is made from an inactivated virus, so it's safe for both mother and baby during any stage of pregnancy. The nasal spray vaccine is made from a live virus, which makes it less appropriate during pregnancy or while you're trying to conceive. If you're allergic to eggs, check with your doctor before receiving a flu shot.

The flu shot available during the 2011-2012 flu season offers protection from both H1N1 flu (swine flu) and seasonal flu.