Which vaccines in pregnancy, and when?

How do the options compare?

Each vaccine is compared on its gestational week window, whether season matters, what it is made of, and what protection transfers to the infant.

• You can get the influenza vaccine anytime during pregnancy, and you can get Tdap anytime during pregnancy, though getting it during the third trimester between weeks 27 and 36 may help protect your baby from illness. 1
• The CDC recommends the RSV vaccine for women who are 32 to 36 weeks pregnant during RSV season, which typically runs from September to January in most of the continental United States. Live vaccines are usually not given in pregnancy because of the small possibility that the person or the developing baby could get the disease. 1
• Abrysvo is a protein subunit vaccine that does not contain live virus. It takes about 2 weeks after the dose for antibodies to fully pass to the fetus, and those antibodies help protect the baby from severe RSV infection for about 6 months after birth. 2
• September and October are the ideal months for the flu shot, though July or August can be considered for women in the third trimester, and vaccination during pregnancy passes antibodies to the baby that help protect them during their first 6 months of life. 3
• The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommends Tdap vaccination during every pregnancy, preferably between gestational weeks 27 and 36. 4

Which option makes sense?

Flu any time, Tdap at 27 to 36 weeks, RSV at 32 to 36 weeks in season, COVID as recommended, and live vaccines held for after delivery.

Disclosure: Pregnancy Smart offers a supplement that overlaps with one or more options above. This page describes the pregnancy evidence for each option on its own merits.