Immunization During Pregnancy

If you are pregnant or planning to get pregnant, a talk with your obstetrician about your vaccines and immunizations is essential.

Why is Immunization important in pregnancy?

Some infections can harm you and your unborn baby. Immunization is the easiest and safest way to prevent many infectious diseases. During pregnancy, Immunization makes you resistant against diseases that pose the greatest and common risk. It also protects your baby, when he/she is in the womb and after the birth, resistant to certain infections.

What are vaccines?

Vaccines are medicines that are given to help protect you from various diseases. They are made from killed or weakened bacteria or virus and help your body’s Immune System to make antibodies. Once these antibodies are made, they protect you if you are exposed to that disease in the future. Click here to read more on vaccines and Immunization.

Vaccines recommended during pregnancy

Vaccines that are made from inactivated or dead organisms are recommended as live vaccines are not given due to the potential risk of causing the disease in your baby.

Diseases like tetanus are fatal. Hence, it is essential to take vaccination. Immunization against tetanus not only protects the mother but also your baby. Generally, two doses of tetanus are given; first between the first 16–24 weeks of your pregnancy and the second one after 4–8 weeks from the first shot. If you have already taken a tetanus shot in the last 1 year, or if you get pregnant within 2 years of your previous pregnancy, then your obstetrician will give you a single booster shot, that too in the last Trimester.

If you are working in a health care facility or have to travel to areas where infection is common or have health conditions like diabetes, then you may be at increased risk for an infection and your obstetrician may ask you to take a vaccine shot.

Clearly the benefit of vaccination in an exposed pregnancy would outweigh any risks that may be associated with the vaccine. The need for vaccination with other vaccines during pregnancy will vary and the issue should be discussed with your doctor.

Vaccinations that are to be avoided in pregnancy

The following live-virus vaccines like measles, mumps, Rubella (MMR), chicken pox, BCG (tuberculosis) and nasal spray flu vaccine are not recommended during pregnancy.

Vaccines recommended before pregnancy

The ideal time to talk to your doctor about vaccinations is while you plan your pregnancy. This will help you to take the vaccines that will protect you and your baby before you conceive itself. Certain vaccine-preventable illnesses like German Measles (rubella) and Chicken Pox can be vaccinated before pregnancy. You should postpone pregnancy for 1 month after receiving any of these vaccinations.