Are vaccines OK when you are pregnant?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that pregnant women get vaccinated against certain diseases, including:

* COVID-19

* Tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (Tdap)

* Measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR)

* Varicella (chickenpox)

* Influenza (flu)

* Hepatitis B (HepB)

These vaccines are safe and effective for pregnant women, and they can help protect them and their babies from serious illnesses.

* COVID-19 vaccine: The CDC recommends that pregnant women get the COVID-19 vaccine. The vaccine is safe and effective in protecting pregnant women from serious illness, and it can also help protect their newborn babies.

* Tdap vaccine: The Tdap vaccine protects against tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (whooping cough). Pregnant women should get the Tdap vaccine during each pregnancy, ideally between 27 and 36 weeks of gestation.

* MMR vaccine: The MMR vaccine protects against measles, mumps, and rubella. Pregnant women who are not immune to these diseases should get the MMR vaccine before or between pregnancies.

* Varicella vaccine: The varicella vaccine protects against chickenpox. Pregnant women who are not immune to chickenpox should get the varicella vaccine before or between pregnancies.

* Flu vaccine: The flu vaccine is safe and effective during pregnancy. The CDC recommends that pregnant women get the flu vaccine as soon as it is available each fall.

* HepB vaccine: The HepB vaccine protects against hepatitis B. Pregnant women who are at risk for hepatitis B should get the vaccine.

If you are pregnant or thinking about becoming pregnant, talk to your doctor about which vaccines you should get.