Refusing flu shot while pregnant

Background

Influenza (flu) during pregnancy is more likely to cause illness that results in hospitalization.

Flu jab pregnancy before 12 weeks

Influenza also may be harmful for the developing baby. A common influenza sign can be fever, which has been associated in some studies with neural tube defects and other adverse outcomes for a developing baby. Getting vaccinated while pregnant can also help protect a baby from influenza after birth (because antibodies are passed to a developing baby during pregnancy).

When you get an influenza vaccine while pregnant or breastfeeding, your body develops antibodies against influenza that are shared with your baby through breast milk.

An influenza vaccine is the best protection against influenza

Getting an influenza vaccine is the first and most important action a person can take to protect against influenza and its potentially serious complications.

If you are pregnant, you should get an injectable influenza vaccine (shot) and not the nasal spray influenza vaccine. A 2013 study showed that

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