The Claim:
A common anti-vaccine claim, again making the rounds, is that flu vaccines have never been tested for safe use during pregnancy. (This tweet is hidden, btw)
The Facts:
As proof of these claims, anti-vaxxers often note that the flu vaccine inserts make no mention of safety testing during pregnancy. Vaccine inserts are written when the vaccine first comes on the market and include all information available at the time of its writing. The studies cited are usually the original clinical trials, and once the vaccine and its insert are approved by the FDA, the wording cannot be changed.
As noted in the insert, pregnant women were not involved in the vaccine’s clinical trials. In the decades since its release, we have studies to back up the safety of vaccinating during pregnancy. For example, this systematic review of birth outcomes for vaccinated mothers looked at 40 studies and found that with each passing year, we have more evidence that the inactivated flu vaccine is safe for pregnant people and their babies.
Disclaimer: Science is always evolving and our understanding of these topics may have evolved too since this was originally posted. Be sure to check out our most recent posts and browse the latest Just the Facts Topics for the latest.
Just the Facts Newsletter:
Correcting this week's disinformation
Sign up to get a weekly look at the latest vaccination facts as we debunk the latest false vaccination claims making the rounds on the internet.