Certain vaccines are safe and recommended for pregnant women before, during, and after their pregnancies to help keep them and their newborns healthy. Mothers’ antibodies to these immunisations not only protect them, but also cross the placenta and help protect their kids from dangerous diseases early in life.
Vaccinating during pregnancy also protects a mother from contracting a dangerous disease and then passing it on to her child.
If you are pregnant or intend to become pregnant, the specific vaccines you require will be determined by your age, lifestyle, medical conditions, travel, and past vaccinations.
Are Vaccines Safe During Pregnancy?
Vaccines have been extensively studied and are generally considered safe for pregnant individuals. In fact, getting vaccinated during pregnancy can provide protection not just for the mother but also for the developing baby. Certain vaccines are specifically recommended for pregnant individuals to safeguard against serious complications.
However, it’s always a good idea to consult with your healthcare provider before getting vaccinated to discuss any specific concerns or considerations related to your pregnancy. They can provide personalised guidance based on your individual circumstances. So, rest assured, vaccines can be an important tool in keeping both you and your baby healthy!
Can a vaccine harm my unborn baby?
When it comes to the question of whether a vaccine can harm an unborn baby, it’s important to note that extensive research has shown that vaccines are generally safe for pregnant individuals and their babies. Vaccines undergo rigorous testing before they are approved for use, and their safety profiles are continuously monitored.
The risks associated with getting vaccinated during pregnancy are generally minimal compared to the potential risks of developing serious complications from vaccine-preventable diseases. However, it’s always a good idea to have a discussion with your healthcare provider to address any specific concerns or considerations you may have
Which Vaccines Can Be Given During Pregnancy?
If you are planning a pregnancy, talk to your doctor about getting all of your immunisations up to date. Some immunisations, such as the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine, should be administered at least a month before pregnancy. Your healthcare practitioner can advise you on whether you require this or any other catch-up immunisation.
During every pregnancy, the CDC advises that pregnant women receive two vaccines: the inactivated flu vaccine (the injection, not the live nasal flu vaccine) and the Tdap vaccination.
Flu vaccine
Influenza vaccine. | Image from iStock.
If you are pregnant during flu season, the CDC recommends taking the flu vaccine. While flu seasons vary, the CDC advises getting vaccinated by the end of October if possible.
You should get a flu shot before flu season (which is from December to February) for your own safety as well as the protection of your infant and the people around you. The vaccine can be administered at any time throughout your pregnancy.
Getting vaccinated later in the flu season, on the other hand, can still be beneficial. Thousands of pregnant women have received flu vaccines throughout the years, and scientific data indicates that they are safe.
Getting the flu vaccine during pregnancy is one of the greatest methods to protect yourself and your baby from flu-related problems for several months after birth. You may prevent complications such as low birth weight, preterm labour or even stillbirth just by taking this necessary precaution.
Tetanus, diphtheria, whooping cough (pertussis) Tdap, Td
Tap, tetanus, diptheria, and pertussis, vaccine | Image from iStock.
Pregnant women require a dose of Tdap (adult whooping cough vaccine) during each pregnancy, particularly in the early third trimester. It is safe to take during pregnancy and will prevent your kid from whooping cough during the first few months after delivery when he or she is most vulnerable.
After Tdap, you must have a Td or Td booster dose every ten years. Consult your doctor if you haven’t received at least three tetanus and diphtheria toxoid vaccinations throughout your life, or if you have a severe or dirty wound.
If you did not receive a Tdap vaccine during your pregnancy and have never received one, the CDC recommends that you obtain one shortly after giving birth.
Which Vaccines Cannot Be Given During Pregnancy
Human papillomavirus HPV
This vaccination is not recommended for use during pregnancy, but if you acquire it accidentally, you should not be concerned.
The HPV vaccine is advised for all persons aged 26 and under, so if you fall into this category, get vaccinated before or after your pregnancy. People aged 27 to 45 may also be vaccinated against HPV after consulting with their doctor. The vaccination is administered in two or three doses over a six-month period (depending on the age of the first dose).
Measles, mumps, rubella MMR
MMR vaccine is not recommended during pregnancy, but if you do take it, you should not be concerned. If you were born in 1957 or after, you should have at least one dose of MMR (and you may require a second dose).
During your prenatal care, your healthcare practitioner will test your blood to determine your need for MMR after birth. It is advisable for you (and any future child) to acquire the protection provided by vaccination before attempting to become pregnant.
Varicella (Chickenpox)
Varicella vaccination is not advised for use during pregnancy, but if you obtain it accidentally, you need not be concerned.
If you’ve never had chickenpox, were never vaccinated, or were vaccinated but only received one dose, it’s better to get the vaccination before trying to get pregnant or after you’ve finished your pregnancy. The vaccination is administered in two doses, four to eight weeks apart.
Zoster (shingles)
If you are 50 or older, you should get the Shingrix brand shingles vaccine in a 2-dose course. However, because the safety of the Shingrix vaccine during pregnancy is unknown, you should wait until after your pregnancy to receive Shingrix.
Live vaccines
Some vaccines, particularly live vaccines, should not be administered to pregnant women because they may harm the baby. Keep in mind that vaccine guidelines for pregnant women are designed with the safety of both mothers and babies in mind.
Live vaccines include BCG (vaccination against tuberculosis), oral polio (which forms part of the 5-in-1 vaccine given to infants), oral typhoid, Live influenza vaccine (nasal flu vaccine), and Japanese encephalitis vaccinations.
If you receive any of these vaccines and then discover you are pregnant, consult your doctor. If necessary, more doses of the vaccinations should be administered after the pregnancy has ended.
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Vaccination During Pregnancy Against COVID-19
Pregnant and breastfeeding women may opt to receive the COVID-19 vaccine when it becomes available, according to the CDC, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), and the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM).
Image from iStock.
You should get the Pfizer/BioNTech or Moderna vaccination instead. This is because they have been used more widely throughout pregnancy in other nations with no adverse effects.
Is it possible to acquire a COVID-19 vaccine alongside other vaccines?
The CDC is learning more about how safe and effective the COVID-19 vaccine is when administered alongside other vaccines like the flu or Tdap. The CDC presently advises:
- You must wait at least 14 days after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine before receiving any other immunisation.
- You must wait at least 14 days after receiving other immunisations before receiving a COVID-19 vaccine.
- You complete your vaccines on time, even if you’ve received a COVID-19 vaccine.
Which Vaccines Are Recommended After Pregnancy?
If you missed any immunisations before or during your pregnancy, get them done after your kid is delivered. This can help you avoid illnesses in future pregnancies.
If you did not receive the Tdap vaccine before or during your pregnancy, you should get it soon after giving birth. After getting vaccinated, it takes your body two weeks to build up immunity. Once that occurs, you are less likely to infect your infant with pertussis.
At the age of two months, your infant receives his first pertussis vaccination. Until then, the best approach to protect him is to be vaccinated and keep him away from anyone who might be infected with pertussis. Tdap vaccinations should be obtained by caregivers, close friends, family, and anybody else who spends time with your newborn at least two weeks before meeting your baby.
After you give birth, your provider may advise you on additional vaccines. Most babies do not begin receiving immunisations until they are 2 months old. Getting vaccinated can help you avoid becoming unwell and passing an infection on to your baby.
Most immunisations are safe for you and your baby if you are nursing. Inform your provider that you are breastfeeding before receiving any vaccinations to ensure their safety. Learn more about your baby’s immunisation schedule here.
If you have any concerns about getting vaccinated during pregnancy, do not hesitate to consult your doctor about it.
Image source: iStock
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