Vaccines during pregnancy can protect both parent and fetus from serious infections. Examples of the vaccinations doctors usually recommend include Tdap, the flu vaccine, and a COVID-19 booster.
Pregnancy alters the immune system, making it more likely that people will get serious symptoms from certain infections. Sometimes serious infections can lead to pregnancy complications.
Vaccines can reduce this risk and can also boost the immunity of the baby from birth. However, not all vaccinations are safe during pregnancy.
Read on to learn more about the vaccines that are beneficial, which to avoid, and when to get them.
![A pregnant woman and a man sat at a table for a video call with a doctor in their kitchen](https://media.post.rvohealth.io/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/05/Vaccines-pregnancy-GettyImages-2148116520-Header-1024x575.jpg)
In the United States, doctors recommend
The following sections explore these vaccines in more detail.
Tdap vaccine
The Tdap vaccine protects against three bacterial diseases that can be very serious in children. They are:
- tetanus
- diphtheria
- pertussis, or whooping cough
When a person receives Tdap during pregnancy, their body begins making antibodies for these bacteria, giving them protection should they contract the bacteria in the future.
However, these antibodies also pass to the fetus, giving them immunity from all three conditions, too.
Doctors recommend administering a dose of the Tdap vaccine during each pregnancy,
Flu vaccine
People who are pregnant or postpartum are more likely to get severe flu symptoms and complications than others. The seasonal flu vaccine reduces this risk.
The flu vaccine works by stimulating the body’s immune system so that it knows how to respond to the newest strains of flu virus circulating during a given flu season.
The
Doctors should not give the live attenuated influenza vaccine during pregnancy. It contains a live but weakened form of flu virus, which could theoretically pose a risk to the fetus.
COVID-19 booster
Pregnant people are at a higher risk of complications from COVID-19 than people who are not pregnant.
As a result, the
Some people may feel hesitant about getting a vaccine that is still relatively new. However, a
In most situations, the benefits of vaccination outweigh the potential risks of getting COVID-19.
RSV vaccine
RSV is a common cause of serious respiratory infections in babies. People can get an RSV vaccine during pregnancy, which will protect the baby from birth onwards.
Alternatively, babies can receive an RSV vaccination after birth if they are under
While some vaccines are safe during pregnancy, there are others people
- human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine
- measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine
- live influenza vaccine
- varicella (chickenpox) vaccine
- Bacillus Calmette–Guérin vaccine, which is for tuberculosis
- certain travel vaccines, such as typhoid fever, Japanese encephalitis (JE), and yellow fever vaccines
Some of these vaccines contain weakened live microbes. Outside of pregnancy they usually do not cause problems, but because the microbes could affect the fetus, doctors
Other vaccines on this list have little data showing they are safe for use during pregnancy, which is why doctors will usually try to avoid giving them.
If a person needs one of these vaccines, or they had one of them before finding out they were pregnant, they should speak with a doctor.
Typically, doctors recommend the following schedule for vaccines before, during, and after pregnancy:
Before pregnancy
If possible, people should aim to get the following vaccines
- MMR
- varicella (chickenpox)
Similarly, people who have recently received travel vaccines, such as the yellow fever vaccine, should wait at least 4 weeks before conceiving.
During pregnancy
During pregnancy, people should get:
- a COVID-19 booster at any time
- the flu vaccine at any time if their pregnancy overlaps with flu season
- a Tdap vaccination between weeks
27 and 36 of gestation in each pregnancy - an RSV vaccination between weeks 32 and 36 if this occurs between September and January
Alternatively, people can immunize the baby during their first RSV season if they are 8 months or younger.
After pregnancy
It is safe to receive vaccines postpartum, even while breastfeeding. The
Under certain circumstances, a doctor may recommend additional vaccines during pregnancy. This could be because a person:
- is at high risk for serious infections
- has had potential exposure to harmful bacteria or viruses
- is traveling to certain locations and cannot postpone their trip
For example, those at high risk of the following conditions
Sometimes doctors also use vaccines as an emergency treatment. This may be necessary if a person becomes exposed to uncommon but potentially dangerous microbes, such as those that cause rabies, anthrax, or smallpox.
Travel vaccines and pregnancy
Certain vaccines may be necessary if a person is pregnant and needs to travel abroad. However, both parents and healthcare professionals need to consider this decision carefully.
Some travel vaccines sometimes contain live organisms. Others have not undergone testing in pregnant people. A doctor
- yellow fever
- typhoid
- JE
The vaccines that doctors recommend during pregnancy are safe for parent and fetus.
- neurological conditions
- allergies
- blood disorders
- chronic illness
Research has found
A
Specifically, the study found no association between the flu vaccine and health conditions, including:
It also notes that previous research has found no link with autism, epilepsy, or meningitis.
The most common side effects of Tdap, COVID-19 boosters, and the flu vaccine are:
- pain or swelling in the arm
- tiredness
- body aches
Occasionally, people can also have a mild fever. This
Below are some frequently asked questions about vaccines during pregnancy.
What is the 3-in-1 vaccine?
The 3-in-1 vaccine is another name for the Tdap vaccine, which protects against tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis, or whooping cough.
Is Tdap necessary during pregnancy?
Yes, if a person wants to protect their baby from whooping cough, tetanus, and diphtheria, a Tdap vaccine is necessary during each pregnancy.
Vaccines during pregnancy are an important part of prenatal care, offering protection against infectious diseases for both the pregnant individual and the fetus.
While doctors recommend certain vaccines during pregnancy, individuals should approach others with caution.
Consultation with a healthcare professional is important to help ensure a person gets the vaccinations they need and at the right time.