Vaccines You Should Get
These vaccines have strong safety data in pregnancy and are recommended because they prevent severe illness in parents and newborns.
Flu Shot (Inactivated)
Strongly recommended each flu season. Pregnancy raises the risk of severe flu complications, and antibodies also protect your baby for the first months of life. Skip the nasal spray—it uses a live virus and is not approved for pregnancy.
COVID-19 Vaccine
Staying up to date is safe during pregnancy or breastfeeding. COVID-19 illness is riskier for pregnant people, so the vaccine lowers chances of hospitalization, ICU care, and pregnancy complications.
Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis)
Get one Tdap shot during the second half of every pregnancy, ideally between weeks 27–36, to pass critical whooping cough antibodies to your newborn.
RSV Vaccine
New guidance recommends an RSV vaccine in the third trimester if your baby will be born before or during RSV season (typically fall through spring). This reduces the risk of severe RSV disease in infants.
Vaccines That May Be Given If Needed
Some vaccines are not routine but can be given if exposure risk is high or travel/work requirements make them necessary. Your provider will weigh benefits and risks.
- Hepatitis A & B vaccines
- Meningococcal vaccine
- Pneumococcal vaccine
- Polio (IPV) vaccine
- Hib (Haemophilus influenzae type b) vaccine
- Rabies vaccine
- Mpox vaccine
Vaccines to Avoid During Pregnancy
Live vaccines (and the HPV vaccine, which lacks pregnancy safety data) should wait until postpartum. Let your doctor know if you were recently vaccinated or exposed.
- MMR (measles, mumps, rubella)
- Varicella (chickenpox)
- Live attenuated flu nasal spray
- HPV vaccine (not live but safety in pregnancy is not well studied)
Planning Your Immunization Timeline
- Review your immunization record before or early in pregnancy to catch any needed updates.
- Schedule the flu shot and updated COVID-19 dose as soon as they are available each season.
- Plan the Tdap shot for the third trimester even if you received it recently.
- Ask about RSV vaccine eligibility if your due date falls between fall and early spring.
Trimester-by-Trimester Plan
Use this planner alongside your prenatal calendar so you know exactly which vaccines to discuss at each stage.
Before or Early Pregnancy
Review history & prep boosters- Update MMR, varicella, and HPV shots before conceiving or after delivery.
- Check hepatitis A/B immunity if you have exposure risks or travel plans.
- Print or save your vaccine record so it is handy at visits.
First Trimester (Weeks 1–13)
Baseline protection- Schedule flu and updated COVID-19 shots as soon as they are available.
- Discuss occupational or travel risks that might require additional vaccines.
- Confirm chronic-condition meds (like biologics or steroids) that could change vaccine timing.
Second Trimester (Weeks 14–27)
Monitor and plan ahead- If you missed flu/COVID doses earlier, catch up now.
- Review RSV season dates and note when the third-trimester window opens.
- Finalize Tdap appointment between weeks 27–36.
Third Trimester (Weeks 28–40)
Passive immunity boost- Receive Tdap and, if eligible, RSV vaccine in the recommended window.
- Ask about future boosters you may need postpartum or while breastfeeding.
- Discuss family “cocooning” shots (partners, grandparents) so everyone is protected before baby arrives.
Why Antibodies Matter
Shared Immunity
Antibodies from flu, COVID-19, Tdap, and RSV vaccines cross the placenta, shielding your newborn until their own shots begin.
Fewer Hospital Visits
Preventing severe infections reduces NICU time, postpartum complications, and re-admissions in the first months of life.
Better Growth & Feeding
Healthy parents recover faster after birth, supporting milk supply, bonding, and consistent newborn care.
Managing Side Effects
Typical Reactions
- Soreness, mild fever, or fatigue usually resolve within 48 hours.
- Use cool compresses, light stretching, and extra water to ease discomfort.
- Ask your provider before taking acetaminophen or other medications.
When to Call
- Fever over 38.5°C lasting more than a day
- Hives, swelling of face or throat, or difficulty breathing
- Persistent contractions, decreased fetal movement, or leaking fluid
Tracking Helps
- Log which arm received the shot and any reactions in your pregnancy app or journal.
- Bring the record to appointments so your provider sees patterns if boosters are due.
- Schedule vaccines when you can rest afterward.
Questions for Your Provider
- Which vaccines do you recommend for me this trimester?
- Is it safe to get multiple vaccines at one visit?
- Will I need booster doses postpartum or while breastfeeding?
- What side effects should I watch for, and when should I call you?
- How do these vaccines protect my baby after birth?
Frequently Asked Questions
Why can’t I get live vaccines while pregnant?
Live vaccines contain weakened virus that could theoretically cross the placenta. To avoid any chance of fetal infection, providers recommend waiting until after delivery for vaccines like MMR or varicella.
What if I got a live vaccine before I knew I was pregnant?
Contact your provider, but most exposures do not cause problems. You may be advised to monitor the pregnancy closely, and your doctor can discuss risks and next steps.
Can vaccines harm my baby?
Inactivated and mRNA vaccines recommended during pregnancy have been studied extensively and show no harmful fetal effects. The benefits of preventing serious infections outweigh potential side effects like soreness or mild fever.
Do vaccines during pregnancy protect my baby?
Yes. Antibodies you make after the flu, COVID-19, Tdap, or RSV vaccines pass through the placenta, giving your newborn early immune protection before their own shots begin.
Should I delay vaccines until after delivery?
Delaying leaves you vulnerable to infections that can cause pregnancy complications (e.g., severe flu, COVID-19 pneumonia, whooping cough exposure). Follow your provider’s timeline instead.
Key Takeaways
Protect Together
Vaccines safeguard you and pass antibodies to your baby.
Time It Right
Work with your provider to schedule shots by trimester.
Skip Live Vaccines
Delay MMR, varicella, and nasal flu spray until postpartum.
Ask Questions
Bring concerns to your appointments before saying yes or no.
Involve Your Support Circle
Immunization protection works best when the people around your baby are up to date too. Share this checklist so everyone knows how to help.
Partner or Support Person
- Review vaccine dates together and set calendar reminders.
- Get flu, COVID-19, and Tdap boosters (“cocooning”) to protect the baby.
- Accompany you to appointments to help with questions and aftercare.
Workplace or School
- Ask about on-site clinics or time off for vaccine appointments.
- Request ergonomic adjustments if arm soreness or fatigue hits after a shot.
- Share doctor’s notes if policies require proof of vaccination.
Community & Family
- Encourage relatives who will visit the baby to update their vaccines four weeks before meeting the newborn.
- Lean on childbirth classes or local parent groups for vaccine-friendly pediatrician recommendations.
- Use trusted sources (CDC, ACOG) to address myths quickly.
Important Medical Disclaimer
Information on this page is intended for education only. Always consult your obstetrician, midwife, or primary care provider before receiving any vaccine during pregnancy.
Seek medical advice immediately if you experience fever over 38.5°C, allergic reactions, or other symptoms that concern you after vaccination.