Pregnant Women & Flu Shots

Flu shots are a necessity for pregnant women, whose bodies have a harder time fighting off illnesses.

By Lexi Walters from American Baby

Q. Should pregnant women get flu shots?

A. Yes. "Pregnant women are slightly immunosurpressed," says Chia-Ling Tung, MD, an ob-gyn affiliated with Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City. Because their bodies are hard at work growing babies, pregnant women's natural responses to fight off illnesses are compromised; this puts them in the Center for Disease Control's category of "high risk" for flu complications. Dr. Tung recommends that pregnant women receive flu shots regardless of their trimester or whether they've had flu shots in the past.

The CDC notes that "October or November is the best time to get vaccinated, but you can still get vaccinated in December and later."

According to the CDC, the following people are also considered crucial recipients of flu shots:

Children aged 6-59 months
Adults ages 50 and older
People of any age with certain chronic medical conditions
People who live in nursing homes and other long term care facilities (or individuals who care for them)

Originally published on AmericanBaby.com, September 2006.

All content here, including advice from doctors and other health professionals, should be considered as opinion only. Always seek the direct advice of your own doctor in connection with any questions or issues you may have regarding your won health or the health of others.