My workplace expects its employees to get several
immunizations regularly. But I'm 5 months pregnant and scared of
what the vaccines might do to my baby. Should I be concerned?
- Emma
It's best to wait until after your pregnancy for most
vaccines, but a few are considered safe during pregnancy. These
include: influenza (but only the shot made with the inactivated
virus), hepatitis B, meningococcus, rabies, and
tetanus/diphtheria.
A doctor might recommend that a pregnant woman get
immunized during pregnancy if all of the following are true:
- there's a good chance that she could be exposed to a
particular infection
- the infection would pose a risk to her or the baby
- the vaccine is unlikely to cause harm
For example, the influenza shot is recommended for all women who
will be in their second or third trimester of pregnancy during flu
season because:
- during flu season, exposure to the virus is high
- pregnant women - especially those in late pregnancy - are at
increased risk for severe symptoms from the flu
- the vaccine is safe for pregnant women
For more information, check out these articles.
A Week-by-Week Pregnancy Calendar
Frequently Asked Questions About Immunizations
Staying Healthy During Pregnancy
10 Things That Might Surprise You About Being Pregnant
Reviewed by:
Elana Pearl Ben-Joseph, MD
Date reviewed: May 2006
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