Immunization of Pregnant/Breastfeeding Women for Ob-gyns

The seasonal influenza (flu) vaccine is safe for pregnant women and their unborn children as well as postpartum/lactating women and can be given during any trimester. The seasonal flu vaccine has been given safely to millions of pregnant women over the past 45 years. The flu shot has been recommended by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for pregnant women for many years. Immunizing pregnant and postpartum women against seasonal influenza can protect the mother and may help her baby by preventing the spread of the flu from mother to child following delivery.

Vaccine Preventable Diseases

On October 21, 2011, the CDC released new recommendations for the administration of the Tdap vaccine for pregnant women.  Read the report from the ACIP here.

• See the College's Committee Opinion Update on Immunization and Pregnancy; Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis Vaccination.

Seasonal Flu

All women who will be pregnant during influenza (flu) season (October through May) should receive the inactivated influenza vaccine. The live attenuated influenza vaccine is contraindicated for pregnant women. The influenza vaccine is safe for pregnant women and their unborn children as well as postpartum and breast feeding women and can be given during any trimester. Immunizing pregnant and postpartum women against seasonal influenza can protect the mother and may help her baby by preventing the spread of the flu from mother to child following delivery. The seasonal flu vaccine has been given safely to millions of pregnant women over the past 45 years. The flu shot has been recommended by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for pregnant women for many years.

 A new study Influenza Vaccination Coverage among Pregnant Women in the United States for the 2010-11 Influenza Season found that for the 2010-11 season, 49% of pregnant women had received influenza vaccination: 32% during pregnancy and 17% before pregnancy or after delivery. The survey also looked at why pregnant women chose not to get vaccinated. One very interesting finding of the survey was that women whose providers offered them a flu shot were five times more likely to get vaccinated than women who didn’t receive a provider offer. However, four out of 10 women in this survey did non receive a provider offer, though they visited a provider at least one time. These results indicate the uncharacteristically higher vaccination level achieved among pregnant women during the previous season (2009-2010) was sustained during the 2010-11 influenza season and emphasizes the critical role of health care providers in promoting influenza vaccination. The top two reasons that pregnant women gave for not getting vaccinated were: “I am concerned about possible safety risks to my baby if I got vaccinated” and “I am concerned that the vaccination would give me the flu.” Women who received a provider offer for influenza vaccination were more likely to have positive attitudes about vaccination effectiveness and safety. The study underscores that fact that continued efforts are needed to encourage providers to 1.) get vaccinated themselves and 2.) to not only strongly recommend vaccination of their pregnant patients but to offer influenza vaccine on site so both pregnant patients and their infants are protected.

• Physician Script on Influenza Immunization During Pregnancy

• Flu Shot for Pregnant Patients: Frequently Asked Questions

• CDC and the College recommend that all women, including pregnant women, be immunized for seasonal influenza. Pregnant women can be immunized during any trimester with the inactivated influenza vaccine. See the College’s new Committee Opinion on Influenza Vaccination During Pregnancy.

• The College and 11 other organizations issue a joint letter recommending influenza (flu) vaccination for pregnant women.

• Pregnant Women Need a Flu Shot!  A new video and web page answer common questions about pregnant women and the flu.  Additionally, hard copies of the DVD are available for ob-gyns who wish to ‘loop’ it in their offices on continuous play for patients.

• Read CDC guidelines and resources for pregnant women and the flu.

• What Pregnant Women Should Know About Flu  See answers to common questions and concerns about pregnant women being immunized for the flu.

Please see our Seasonal Influenza (flu) section for additional information.

Immunization of Pregnant/Breastfeeding Women for Patients

The seasonal influenza (flu) vaccine is safe for pregnant women and their unborn children as well as postpartum/lactating women and can be given during any trimester. The seasonal flu vaccine has been given safely to millions of pregnant women over the past 45 years. The flu shot has been recommended by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for pregnant women for many years. Immunizing pregnant and postpartum women against seasonal influenza can protect the mother and may help her baby by preventing the spread of the flu from mother to child following delivery.

Vaccine Preventable Diseases

On October 21, 2011, the CDC released new recommendations for the administration of the Tdap vaccine for pregnant women.  Read the report from the ACIP here.

• See the College's Committee Opinion Update on Immunization and Pregnancy; Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis Vaccination.

• See CDC's guidelines for vaccination pregnant women.

Seasonal Flu

All women who will be pregnant during influenza (flu) season (October through May) should receive the inactivated influenza vaccine. The live attenuated influenza vaccine is contraindicated for pregnant women. The influenza vaccine is safe for pregnant women and their unborn children as well as postpartum and breast feeding women and can be given during any trimester.

• FAQs: Flu Shot for Pregnant Patients

• Read the College's Committee Opinion on Influenza Vaccination During Pregnancy

• Read a joint letter from the College and 11 other healthcare organizations on the importance of flu vaccine for pregnant women.

• Pregnant Women Need a Flu Shot!  A new video and web page answer common questions about pregnant women and the flu.  Additionally, hard copies of the DVD are available for ob-gyns who wish to ‘loop’ it in their offices on continuous play for patients.

• What Pregnant Women Should Know About Flu  See answers to common questions and concerns about pregnant women being immunized for the flu.

• Read CDC guidelines and resources for pregnant women and the flu.

Please see our Seasonal Influenza (flu) section for additional information.