Can Getting Immunizations Affect My Unborn Baby?

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 be vaccinated before your pregnancy when possible, but some immunizations can be given during pregnancy. These include vaccines such as influenza (but only the shot made with the inactivated virus), hepatitis B, meningococcus, rabies, and tetanus/diphtheria.

Some vaccines, such as those against measles, mumps, rubella, and chickenpox, should not be given during pregnancy.

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 flu shot is recommended for 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

Before you get any vaccines during pregnancy, check with your doctor to make sure they are right for you.

Reviewed by: Larissa Hirsch, MD
Date reviewed: July 2009

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