A report from the Centers for Disease Control contradicts the beliefs of many expectant mothers who are often afraid to take any type of medication during pregnancy.
Getting a flu shot reduces a pregnant woman's risk of being hospitalized from flu by an average of 40 percent.
Doctors have been recommending inoculations for pregnant women for several years. Women who are expecting go through numerous physiological changes, and they rely more on the heart and lungs to keep themselves and their babies healthy, said Dr. Kevin Ault, an OB/GYN at the University of Kansas Hospital.
"Fifteen or 20 years ago we started recommending the flu shot for pregnant women because flu and pregnancy are deadly," Ault said. "You're about six times more likely to die (when infected with influenza) when your pregnant than when you're otherwise a healthy young woman."
Some mothers are concerned about the potential of getting sick from a flu shot, but Dr. Ault said they only give the intermuscular version of the vaccine, which does not contain any live flu virus.
An added bonus to the flu shot is that a vaccinated mother passes immunities to their babies. Flu shots are not recommended for infants before six months of age.
"I usually tell my patients it's safe, it benefits your pregnancy, it benefits your newborn and it benefits you," Ault said.
Women should get their flu shots any time they are available, especially if they have just found out they are pregnant or if they plan on getting pregnant, Ault said.