The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), and the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM) have all issued statements recommending several important vaccinations during pregnancy. These vaccinations are considered safe and effective for both the mother and the baby, providing important protection from serious illnesses, during pregnancy and after birth.
Why Are Vaccines Important During Pregnancy?
Pregnant women are more vulnerable to severe illness from infections like the flu and COVID-19 due to normal changes from pregnancy that affect their immune system, as well as lung function. Contracting these viruses during pregnancy increases the risk of complications, such as preeclampsia and preterm birth.
Receiving vaccines during pregnancy can help reduce the likelihood or severity of illness, while also providing protection to newborns against these viruses and other serious diseases, such as whooping cough (pertussis) and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
How Do Vaccines Protect My Baby?
Newborns are at the highest risk of serious infection because their immune systems are immature. There is a higher risk of needing hospitalization and critical care (ICU) from diseases like whooping cough (pertussis), flu, and COVID-19, yet they are not able to receive their own vaccines until between two and six months of age (depending on the vaccine).
When a pregnant mother is vaccinated, she creates antibodies that are passed across the placenta and provide protection to the newborn during its most vulnerable time, until the baby is old enough to receive vaccines. Additionally, ensuring that everyone around the baby is up to date on their vaccinations is another important way to help reduce the risk of illness.
Which Vaccines Are Recommended During Pregnancy?
The vaccines most commonly recommended during pregnancy include:
- Tdap, the tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis vaccine helps protect your newborn from whooping cough, which is also called pertussis. It is recommended at 2 months of age.
- The COVID-19 vaccine is recommended for everyone six months of age and older. If you haven’t been vaccinated, or are due for a booster, it is advised you receive it during pregnancy.
- An effective way to prevent your baby from getting RSV is by receiving the RSV vaccine during the 3rd trimester of pregnancy or during RSV season (typically September through the end of January). If you did not receive an RSV vaccine during the pregnancy, the baby may be eligible for RSV monoclonal antibody (Nirsevimab) in the first 6 months of life.
- The flu shot, or influenza vaccine, is also safe for mother and baby. The nasal spray version of the vaccine is not recommended because it contains the live virus.
In general, vaccines that do not contain live particles (inactivated vaccines) are considered safe for administration during pregnancy, and your doctor may recommend other vaccines depending on your unique circumstances.
Which Vaccines Should Be Avoided While Pregnant?
During pregnancy, your doctor will recommend avoiding vaccines that contain live viruses, as they may pose a risk to the baby. These include the chickenpox (varicella) vaccine and the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. Additionally, it is advised to wait until after delivery to receive the shingles vaccine.
Are Vaccines Safe for Pregnant Women?
Millions of women have been vaccinated during pregnancy, and vaccines are recognized as the safest and most effective way to protect both expectant mothers and their babies from preventable diseases.
The CDC and other leading healthcare organizations have reviewed available data before making their recommendations about the flu, Tdap, RSV, and COVID-19 vaccines, and continually monitor vaccine safety.
While a pregnant woman may experience side effects of an immune response to a vaccine, including fatigue and body aches, fever, or pain at the injection site, most people have mild or no side effects. The benefits for both mother and baby of being protected against these potentially serious illnesses are significantly greater than any temporary discomfort associated with the vaccine.
Please discuss any concerns regarding the safety of vaccination during pregnancy with your doctor.
When Should I Get Vaccinated?
The recommended timing for vaccines during pregnancy is as follows:
- While the flu vaccine is safe at any time during pregnancy, it is most effective before the end of October due to the increase in flu activity at that time. Women should receive their flu vaccine at that time each year, including during future pregnancies, for maximum benefit.
- The COVID-19 vaccine is also safe at any point in a pregnancy. Women should receive appropriate boosters after initial vaccination, as they become available.
- The whooping cough, or Tdap vaccine, is recommended between 27 and 36 weeks of pregnancy. Pregnant women should receive the vaccine during each pregnancy.
- If your 32nd through 36th week of pregnancy falls during September to January, the RSV vaccine is recommended.
In general, it takes approximately 2 weeks after vaccination to generate an antibody response and protect the baby.
Schedule Your Consultation with Advantia MFM & Genetics Today
If you have been referred by your primary care provider, OB-GYN, or other healthcare provider, please call our office to schedule an appointment. Our dedicated team will help you understand what information to provide in advance to ensure you see the care provider best suited to your condition.
