Pregnant women have weakened immune systems, making them more vulnerable to the possibility of complications during illnesses. This makes certain vaccines an important first line of defense not only to protect the mother-to-be but also to build the baby’s immunity against certain serious illnesses, including respiratory infections.
Recommended Vaccinations for Pregnant Patients
Generally, inactivated vaccines can be safely administered during pregnancy because they do not contain live viruses. The CDC recommends that pregnant patients be vaccinated for the following illnesses:
Influenza — Pregnant patients can receive a flu shot before or at any time during their pregnancy, depending on whether it is flu season. It is generally recommended that the vaccine be administered earlier in the flu season to maximize immunization throughout the duration of the pregnancy. Infants can receive the flu shot once they reach 6 months of age.
Whooping cough — There are two vaccines for whooping cough: the DTaP vaccine (initial dose) and the Tdap vaccine (booster). It’s recommended that pregnant patients receive a Tdap booster during their third trimester, between 27 and 36 weeks. Infants can receive the DTaP vaccine at 2 months of age.
COVID-19 — Pregnant patients are advised to be up to date on their COVID-19 vaccination schedule, including at least one dose of the bivalent booster. COVID-19 vaccines are generally safe to receive at any point during pregnancy. Infants can receive the COVID-19 vaccine starting at 6 months of age.
Vaccines to Avoid When You’re Pregnant
Unlike inactivated vaccines, live-attenuated vaccines contain live viruses and are generally not recommended for expectant women due to the risk of possibly infecting the fetus. Because of this risk, it is generally advised that patients try to stay up to date on their vaccinations prior to pregnancy. Routine vaccines that pregnant patients should typically avoid include:
Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR/MMRV) vaccine
Varicella vaccine
Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine
Vaccinations for Caretakers and Family Members
In addition to pregnant patients, it is recommended that their caretakers and family members get up to date on their vaccinations. Due to babies’ compromised immunity, unvaccinated individuals can generally increase babies’ risk of infection. It is a best practice for caretakers and family members to check whether they have received the same vaccinations that are recommended for maternal immunization (influenza, whooping cough, and COVID-19). Vaccinations should be completed at least two weeks before meeting the baby to allow for adequate antibody development.
Talking to Your Pregnant Patients
If any of your patients are expecting a baby, it can be productive to talk to them about recommended vaccinations, when to schedule them, and which to avoid. Many patients may be unaware of the potential benefits and risks of being vaccinated while pregnant. As their most trusted source of health information during their pregnancies, you should talk to your patients about immunization as a standard part of the obstetrics care you provide. It is important that your staff also deliver consistent messaging that aligns with the CDC’s recommendations for maternal vaccination. It can be helpful to provide staff with additional information and resources and to give context as to why certain vaccines are strongly recommended. Help your patients have a healthy pregnancy by talking to them about which vaccines are best for them.
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