OB/GYN: Vaccines in Pregnancy

someone getting a flu shot

Vaccinations can help protect you from certain infections and diseases that can harm you and your baby. The Tdap and influenza vaccines (flu shot) are recommended in pregnancy. Not all vaccines are safe to get during pregnancy, so you should speak to your provider or care team for more guidance.

What Vaccinations are Recommended During Pregnancy?

  • The Tdap vaccine protects you and your baby against contracting tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis. It is recommended that you get the Tdap vaccine between 27 and 36 weeks of pregnancy.
  • The flu shot protects you and your baby against contracting the flu. It is recommended that you get a flu shot every flu season, even when pregnant. Before getting a vaccination, talk to your provider or care team and let them know if you have any allergies or have ever had an allergic reaction to a vaccine. An allergic reaction is a bad reaction to something you eat, touch, or breathe in. Usually allergies result in itching, sneezing, a rash or hives, or trouble breathing.

For more information, cdc.gov/vaccines/pregnancy.

Common Vaccinations Recommendations during pregnancy:

  • Flu shot (influenza) - Yes, recommended (does not include the nasal spray)
  • Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis) - Yes, recommended
  • Hepatitis A - Talk to your provider or care team
  • Hepatitis B - Talk to your provider or care team
  • HPV (human papillomavirus) - Talk to your provider or care team
  • MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) - No, not recommended
  • Chickenpox (varicella) - No, not recommended
  • Shingles (zoster) - No, not recommended