Is it safe to be vaccinated during pregnancy?

Last reviewed: 2026-06-08

Quick answer

Some vaccines are safe and recommended during pregnancy, including the inactivated flu vaccine, the acellular pertussis (whooping cough) vaccine and the COVID-19 vaccine. These protect both the mother and the baby. Live-attenuated vaccines, such as MMR, aren't recommended during pregnancy. Confirm the specifics with a doctor.

During pregnancy, it helps to know which vaccines are recommended and which to avoid.

Vaccines recommended during pregnancy

Hong Kong's Scientific Committee on Vaccine Preventable Diseases recommends the following for pregnant women:

Inactivated flu vaccine: pregnant women have a higher risk of serious complications from flu, and vaccination protects the mother and passes antibodies to the baby.
Acellular pertussis vaccine: one dose is recommended in each pregnancy, ideally in the second or third trimester and before about 35 weeks, so maternal antibodies cross the placenta and protect the baby before it's old enough to be vaccinated.
COVID-19 vaccine: pregnant women are a priority group, and vaccination is recommended to reduce the risk of severe disease.

Vaccines to avoid during pregnancy

Live-attenuated vaccines, such as MMR, chickenpox and the nasal flu vaccine, are generally not recommended during pregnancy, as a precaution. If you need one of these, it's usually arranged before pregnancy or after delivery.

Before vaccination

Every pregnancy is different. Before vaccination, confirm with your obstetrician or family doctor which vaccines are right for you and the best timing.

Answer six short questions to see which vaccines are worth discussing with your GP, and why.

Based on your age, health, and travel plans, using HK Department of Health and CDC guidance. A ranked list of vaccines, with the reason each one applies to you.

Rule-based

The recommendations follow HK Department of Health and US CDC guidance, and you can see how each one was reached.

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