Is influenza vaccine recommended during pregnancy?

Yes. It is especially important to vaccinate during pregnancy because of the increased risk for influenza-related complications during pregnancy and the baby’s increased risk of influenza-related illness and hospitalizations during the first 6 months of life.

Influenza vaccination during pregnancy reduces mothers’ risk of influenza illness, preterm labor, and their infants’ risk of influenza and influenza-related hospitalization in the first 6 months of life.

Vaccination can occur in any trimester, including the first. Only inactivated or recombinant influenza vaccines may be given during pregnancy. FluMist (LAIV), a live vaccine, should not be given during pregnancy.