Can You Get a Flu Shot While Pregnant?

Yes, the flu shot is not only safe but strongly recommended during pregnancy. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises all pregnant women to receive the influenza vaccine during any trimester. The inactivated flu vaccine contains no live virus and cannot cause flu infection in mother or baby. Pregnant women face higher risks of severe flu complications, including hospitalization rates 3-4 times higher than non-pregnant women. The vaccine provides protection for both mother and baby, with antibodies passing through the placenta to protect newborns for their first 6 months of life when they're too young for vaccination.

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