Understanding immunization safety during pregnancy

Immunization at any age has for years been a critical decision for individuals, new parents, and for those with health concerns and preexisting conditions. While most will agree that immunizations are important for health and long-term protection against serious disease, individual circumstances will always dictate how, when and if a particular vaccine is the right choice. For pregnant women, these are important questions.

August is National Immunization Awareness Month and a great time to learn more about immunization safety and address the concerns women have during and after pregnancy or before they become pregnant.

Protecting mother and child

Anything an expectant mother takes in, from nutrients to vaccinations, is passed on to her unborn child. That means a vaccination that protects a pregnant woman from disease will also provide some protection for the baby. This is especially beneficial for a baby’s health during the first couple months of life.

The CDC provides recommendations based on careful monitoring of the vaccines and the immunization process, as well as how contracting these diseases may impact the mother, the unborn child, and the child after birth.

• Flu shots are safe and recommended during pregnancy. A bout with flu can be more severe for a pregnant woman possibly because of changes during pregnancy in immune and lung function. During flu season, a flu shot at any time during pregnancy, before pregnancy, and after birth is the best protection against illness and will protect the child from flu related complications for several months after birth.
• Tdap is recommended for its protection against whooping cough (pertussis). This is because whooping cough can be hard to detect in infants and can cause a very young baby to stop breathing. This vaccine is safe and recommended between the 27^th and 36^th week of pregnancy to provide a newborn some early protection from his or her mother’s antibodies.
• The Covid-19 vaccine is safe and recommended during pregnancy. Pregnant women are at greater risk for serious illness and complications if they contract Covid-19. The illness during pregnancy also increases the risk for a preterm birth. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine, tens of thousands of pregnant women have received the vaccine safely and it is effective protecting against illness.

Obstetricians and the CDC also emphasize that these vaccines are safe for women after they have given birth even while they are breastfeeding.

The above listed vaccines are inactivated vaccines. That is, they are made by inactivating the virus during development. Live virus vaccines, including the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) and chickenpox, should be given at least a month before a woman becomes pregnant.

Like all medicines, vaccines can lead to some side effects, but they are generally mild, with a majority of people reporting no side effects at all.

At Stark Women’s, we encourage you to contact our team of professionals to discuss the benefits and risks of immunizations based upon your specific health and circumstances. Call today for an appointment.