Vaccination during pregnancy

Vaccination during pregnancy

Vaccination during pregnancy is an important measure to protect both the mother and fetus against certain infections.

Some vaccines are recommended during pregnancy as they are safe and lead to the production of antibodies that cross the placenta and help protect the baby in the first 6 months of life against serious infections.

Pregnant women are immunocompromised and are more prone to serious complications subsequent to any infection.

Importance of vaccination in pregnancy:

• Protects the mother from infections that might be more severe in pregnancy
• Protects the fetus and transfer through transplacental antibody transfer
• Prevents obstetric complications such as preterm birth or neonatal infections

Vaccines that are recommended in pregnancy:

1. Influenza vaccine:

** given during any month of pregnancy

** protects against seasonal influenza

**protects newborn during first 6 months of life

**the virus is inactivated in the vaccine (not alive)

2. Pertussis vaccine:

**given in addition to tetanus and diphtheria

**recommended between 27-36 weeks of gestation

**repeated in each pregnancy

**the aim is to protect the infant from severe pertussis which might be life-threatening in infant age

**part of Tdap vaccine

3. Tetanus vaccine:

**given in situations with increased tetanus risk

** given in addition to pertussis and diphtheria

**prevents neonatal tetanus

**part of Tdap vaccine

Note: Tdap vaccine contains inactivated toxins and protein antigens

4. Some vaccines are given if needed and not as routine:

** hepatitis B vaccine

**covid 19 vaccine

**rabies vaccine (if exposed to animal bites)

**meningococcal vaccine in outbreaks or travelling to areas with high-risk exposure

5. Vaccines that are contraindicated in pregnancy:

• Measles vaccine
• Mumps vaccine
• Rubella vaccine
• Varicella vaccine
• Tuberculosis

Generally, vaccines that contain live viruses are not allowed in pregnancy as the pregnant lady’s immunity is weakened during pregnancy and live vaccines contain organisms that are able to replicate and infect the fetus.

These are all live vaccines, and that’s why they should be given before pregnancy or after birth.

Side effects of vaccines:

• Pain at injection site
• Mild fever
• Fatigue
• Headache
• Severe side effects are rare

If a live vaccine is given during pregnancy, should the pregnancy be terminated?

No, because the risk is very small. But close monitoring of the mother and fetus are needed.

How long should I wait before getting pregnant after I take a live vaccine?

Four weeks

Are live vaccines safe during breastfeeding?

Yes, because the transmission rate through breast milk is very low

Dr Najeeb Layyous  F.R.C.O.G

Consultant Obstetrician, Gynecologist and Infertility Specialist