What are the facts about flu shots during pregnancy?

Here are some facts related to getting flu shots during pregnancy:

1. It is perfectly harmless to use flu vaccine during pregnancy. Moreover, the vaccine can be taken during any month of the pregnancy.

1. The flu vaccine does not cause any side effect in the mother and the child. It is also not responsible for causing cancer of the unborn baby.

1. Even the potentially risky element of the vaccine – called thimerosal (a compound containing mercury) – does not cause any considerable damage – according to the Center for Disease Control.

1. The flu season starts in November and ends in April of next year. Although most people get their flu shots during March and April, pregnant women should take the flu vaccines as early as October. This is because these women are at high risk from developing flu.

1. When a pregnant woman takes a flu shot, it reduces the risk of the baby of developing flu after birth. In addition, it reduces the chances that the pregnant mother will become infected with the influenza virus and then will spread the infection to her baby.