Pregnancy Vaccinations will enable the mother to develop immunity. The antibodies can pass from the mother to the baby and thereby give protection to the baby.
Flu Vaccine During Pregnancy
All pregnant women who are going to be pregnant in the flu season should take the influenza vaccine, irrespective of the weeks of pregnancy. Only the inactivated vaccine should be taken, live attenuated vaccine is contraindicated in pregnancy.
TDAP Vaccine
It is recommended to give one dose of Tdap vaccine to pregnant patients between 27 and 36 weeks irrespective of their previous vaccination status although it can be given anytime in pregnancy. If it has not been given in pregnancy, then it should be given immediately after delivery.
Pregnant women who never have been vaccinated against tetanus should receive three vaccinations containing tetanus and reduced diphtheria toxoids. The recommended schedule is 0, 4 weeks and 6 through 12 months. Tdap should replace 1 dose of Td, preferably between 27 and 36 weeks gestation.
Hepatitis B
Pregnant women who are negative for the virus and who may be at high risk of getting infected should receive the vaccine. Ideally, all women should receive this vaccine prior to getting pregnant.
Women, who have more than one sex partner during the previous 6 months, or who have been evaluated or treated for an STD, give a history of recent or current injection drug abuse or having had an HBsAg-positive sex partner are considered to be high risk for HBV infection. They should be vaccinated even if they are already pregnant.
Are there are any risks of getting vaccinations during pregnancy?
There is no risk to the fetus from inactivated viral and bacterial vaccines. But live vaccines are contraindicated in pregnancy. Some vaccines are safe in pregnancy and should be given.
Pregnant women should avoid the following vaccines: – Hepatitis A, MMR, Varicella, Pneumococcal Vaccine, Polio Vaccine, and HPV vaccine.
Take an appointment with Dr. Sangeeta Agrawal to discuss your vaccination needs.
