Yes, you should receive the inactivated influenza vaccine now, even though you are near your due date.
Pregnant individuals may receive inactivated influenza vaccine (IIV) at any time during pregnancy, including late in the third trimester near delivery, to protect both themselves and their infants 1. The most recent 2024-2025 AAP guidelines explicitly state that those who do not receive vaccination during pregnancy should receive it before hospital discharge 1.
Why Vaccination Near Delivery Is Important
Maternal Protection
- Pregnant women are at significantly increased risk for severe influenza complications, hospitalization, and death compared to non-pregnant women 2, 3
- This elevated risk persists throughout all trimesters, including the final weeks of pregnancy 4
Infant Protection Through Passive Immunity
- Vaccination now provides critical protection for your newborn during the first 6 months of life when infants are too young to receive their own influenza vaccine 2, 5
- Maternal antibodies transfer across the placenta and protect infants, with studies showing up to 72% risk reduction for laboratory-confirmed influenza hospitalization in infants during their first months 5, 4
- Vaccination in the third trimester results in higher levels of influenza-specific antibodies in both cord blood and breast milk 2, 4
Safety Profile
The safety evidence is robust across all trimesters:
- No increased risk of preterm birth, low birthweight, small-for-gestational-age infants, or congenital malformations 2, 4, 6, 7
- No association with spontaneous abortion, stillbirth, or adverse maternal events 4, 8, 7
- Animal studies showed no fetal malformations or impaired fertility 3
Practical Considerations
Vaccine Type
- Use inactivated influenza vaccine (IIV) or recombinant influenza vaccine (RIV) if age-appropriate 1
- Do NOT use live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV) during pregnancy - this is contraindicated 1, 4, 1
Timing
- Ideally vaccinate at least 2 weeks before delivery to allow adequate antibody development and transfer 9, 10
- However, vaccination closer to delivery still provides benefit
- If not vaccinated before delivery, receive the vaccine before hospital discharge 1
No Contraindications Near Term
- Mild illness with or without fever is NOT a contraindication 1, 11
- Only defer if you have moderate-to-severe illness until symptoms resolve 11
- Previous severe allergic reaction to influenza vaccine is the only absolute contraindication 2
Common Pitfall to Avoid
Do not delay vaccination thinking it's "too late" in pregnancy. The 2024 AAP guidelines specifically address this by recommending vaccination before hospital discharge for those who missed it during pregnancy 1. Even vaccination very close to delivery provides some maternal protection and initiates antibody production that will benefit the infant through breastfeeding 2, 4.
The evidence consistently demonstrates that the benefits of influenza vaccination - protecting both you from severe disease and your newborn from influenza during their most vulnerable months - far outweigh any theoretical risks, regardless of how close you are to your due date 2, 4, 12.