Vaccination against influenza is recommended for all women who will be pregnant during flu season. The Center for Disease Control's complete recommendations regarding vaccination are available at this link.

A: Many people incorrectly use the term “flu” to refer to any virus that comes along, including colds and upset stomachs. However, “influenza” is a specific viral infection that causes high fever, muscle aches, breathing problems, and can last for a week or more. It is much more serious than having a common cold. In fat, each year 200,000 Americans are hospitalized with influenza, and 36,000 die from it -- about as many as are killed by drunk drivers.

A: Absolutely. Flu shots have been recommended for pregnant women for years, and studies of thousands of pregnant women have revealed NO adverse effects on the baby. In fact, immunity is passed on to the baby and will last for up to 6 months after birth.

A: Absolutely not. There are two types of flu vaccine: one containing live virus, and another with no live virus. Pregnant women and women who may become pregnant should get the one with NO live virus, which will NOT cause influenza. Up to 25% of people may have 1 or 2 days of aches or fever, and up to 65% note transient soreness at the injection site, but nobody gets influenza from the shot.

A: There are different strains of influenza. In order to have sufficient vaccine available, production needs to start way in advance of the flu season, and each year’s vaccine is designed to prevent the strains which are predicted to be most prevalent that year. Sometimes, there are unpredicted strains of flu. Your friend may have had a different strain of flu. Or, your friend may have had a different virus and called it “the flu.” The vaccine is 70-90% effective in prevention of influenza; it is not 100%.

A: Immunity peaks 2 weeks after vaccination and lasts for up to 6 months.

A: As soon as you plan to get pregnant, or at any time during pregnancy. Flu season runs from October to February or March. You should be immunized as early in the season as possible, but there is benefit in being vaccinated even through January or February.