All pregnant patients should receive which vaccine to protect against influenza?

The inactivated influenza vaccine is recommended for all pregnant patients because it is both safe and effective in preventing influenza during pregnancy. Pregnant individuals are at a higher risk for severe complications from influenza due to physiological changes, and vaccination helps protect not just the mother, but also the fetus. The inactivated vaccine does not contain live virus, making it safe to administer during pregnancy, as it cannot cause the disease.

Additionally, vaccination during pregnancy provides passive immunity to the infant, which can help protect newborns from influenza in their first few months of life until they can receive their own vaccinations. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) strongly recommends this vaccine for pregnant women in any trimester, recognizing its role in safeguarding both maternal and neonatal health.

In contrast, other vaccine options like the live attenuated influenza vaccine and the intranasal influenza vaccine are not advised during pregnancy due to safety concerns regarding the live virus component. While recombinant influenza vaccines are available, they are not the standard recommendation for all pregnant patients as the inactivated vaccine is. Thus, the choice of the inactivated influenza vaccine is based on established guidelines and the need for both maternal and fetal protection against influenza.