Pregnancy is unique in that it encompasses considerable anticipation and joy, transformation, and change all at once. Simply put, taking care of the mother and the baby are both equally important. Vaccination is arguably one of the most effective ways to aid in the pregnancy period.
The CDC as well as leading healthcare organizations nationally and internationally, recommend certain vaccines during pregnancy and have documented their effectiveness and importance along with the safety in terms of preventing serious infections in the mother and child as well.
this blog focuses on CDC recommendations, discuss the importance of the inactivated influenza vaccine and the Tdap vaccine. The guide will also cover other important vaccinations to get and those to avoid during this special time. With these guidelines, pregnant mothers or those planning to get pregnant can understand how to protect themselves and their babies..
Foundational Defenses: Tdap Vaccine and Flu Vaccine
CDC does have some specific guidelines which include recommending two vaccines for every single pregnancy which are inactivated influenza (flu vaccine) and Tdap tetanus diphtheria and pertussis vaccine. These two suggestions are crucial as they are not taking preventative measures for expecting mothers, but for mothers that already have a child and want to reduce the possibility of complications for both and then help them in the later stage of childhood.
Consulting with your obstetrician about the timing of these vaccines is critical, and regular Health Checkups can ensure you’re fully protected.
The Inactivated Influenza Vaccine: Shielding Against The Flu
Pregnant women, and the flu, don’t mesh very well because it can be physically debilitating. The body undergoes several changes during pregnancy, and one of them is a weakened immune system. Expectant mothers tend to be at higher risk for severe 1 illnesses, hospitalization, and flu related complications. Additionally, the flu comes with fever as a side symptom, and that can be quite detrimental during pregnancy.
Flu vaccination is an important part of prenatal care, and regular Prenatal visits ensure that all health needs are being met throughout pregnancy.
What is the importance of getting a flu shot while pregnant?
For the mother: Flu vaccination during pregnancy offers meaningful protection because it greatly decreases chances of contracting the illness, getting severely sick, or facing flu complications during pregnancy.
For the baby: Protective antibodies will be produced once a woman gets the flu shot and these are passed through the placenta, granting passive immunity for the initial months of life when he/ she is ineligible for vaccination. This form of defense is extremely important because infants are extremely vulnerable to severe complications related to the flu.
Overall: Safety is always paramount. Study after study has shown, during more than 50 years of use in pregnant women, that the inactivated flu shot is completely safe at any trimester. The nasal spray flu vaccine that uses live attenuated virus is contraindicated for pregnant candidates.
Annual flu vaccination by the end of October is recommended, although it can be done later in the season and still be helpful.
Whooping Cough Prevention with the Tdap Vaccine
The Tdap vaccine (commonly referred to as the Tdap shot) protects against: tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (whooping cough). While both diphtheria and tetanus can be serious, pertussis is particularly dangerous in the neonatal period. Whooping cough is classed as highly infectious disease. It can result in life threatening complications in infants such as severe difficulty in breathing, pneumonia, and in some instances, seizures.
What is the reason for the Tdap vaccine during pregnancy?
Baby Protection: The main intent of Tdap vaccination during pregnancy is to ensure the infant is shielded from contracting pertussis. Just like with the flu vaccine, the mother’s body produces antibodies post vaccination and these antibodies cross the placenta, crucially providing passive immunity to the baby through the first few months of life.
Mother Protection: The vaccination protects the mother from these diseases and allows her to care for the infant without the risk of exposing the baby to rotavirus.
Ideal Timing: According to the CDC guidelines, a pregnant woman should receive a dose of Tdap vaccine once during every pregnancy at around 27 to 36 weeks of gestation. Administering the vaccine in this window optimally helps the baby receive protective antibodies. This is suggested irrespective of the mother’s previous vaccination history of Tdap.
Safety: The vaccine of Tdap is safe for pregnant women and their children throughout the pregnancy. As for the timing, third semester is best recommended for stronger antibody transfer.
Considering Other Vaccines and Unique Situations
Flu and Tdap vaccines are essential for every pregnant woman, but these circumstances may lead to extra vaccinations.
Hepatitis B Vaccine:
This vaccine is advised for pregnant women who have not been previously vaccinated against Hepatitis B or are at risk of contracting the infection. It can be safely administered during pregnancy as it comprises non-contagious constituent parts.
COVID-19 Vaccine:
Women who are, planning to conceive, or are in the postpartum phase, as well as those who are breastfeeding are advised to get the COVID-19 vaccine. There is enough evidence proving the safety of appointing COVID vaccines during pregnancy. mRNA vaccines, such as Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna, are the types most recommended for use during pregnancy, as they can seriously benefit both the mother and child.
Additional Vaccines:
Based on personal risk factors like travel or pre-existing medical issues, a healthcare provider may suggest meningococcal or pneumococcal vaccines. It’s very important to tailor to your unique case with your physician.
Pregnancy Vaccines: Supporting the fetus from potential harm.
Because of potential risks to the fetus, some living vaccines are considered contraindicated during pregnancy.
MMR- Measles Mumps Rubella Vaccine:
This live vaccine ideally needs to be done one month prior to pregnancy. Should a woman turn out to be non-immune to rubella then she should be vaccinated in post-partum.
Varicella Vaccine:
Just like the MMR vaccine the live varicella vaccine should also take place prior to pregnancy. If a woman is enceinte and not immune to the vaccine then the vaccination should be delayed until after child birth.
HPV Vaccine:
The HPV vaccine is safe but not advisable during pregnancy due to insufficient information on safety amongst expectant women. The ideal time to complete the doses is pre pregnancy but to postpone rest of the doses till after would be advisable.
Live Influenza Vaccine:
As stated beforehand the LAIV nasal spray is not suggested for use during pregnancy.
In the event a woman accidentally gets a live vaccine while already pregnant, she needs to contact her healthcare professional. In practice, the theoretical risk has been overblown, as there have been cases where pregnant women were given these vaccines, and the fetuses were unharmed. Still, all additional doses should be stopped during the period of pregnancy for precautionary reasons.
Addressing Common Misconceptions: Facts Over Fear
The overwhelming amount of scientific literature validating the safety of getting vaccinated during pregnancy does not seem to cover some misconceptions regarding the procedure.
Misconception: Vaccinations have other ingredients in them, which are very dangerous, and can hurt the baby.
Fact: The aforementioned ingredients of vaccines: formaldehyde, mercury (in thimerosal form, but scarcely used these days), and aluminum, only exist in minute doses, which do not inflict any damage. In fact, the human body produces some of the substances in higher quantities than those present in the vaccine.
Misconception: Natural defenses invoked by the body are better than those activated by vaccines.
Fact: While natural infection undeniably results in immunity, it creates other potential risks like severe illness, complication, and even death. The vaccination method is far less dangerous, as it does not expose or subject an individual to the disease.
Misconception: Only children need vaccinations.
Fact: The aforementioned literature does confirm vaccines having age restrictions, but those needing vaccines do not stop with children. Pregnant women, along with other adult groups, have specific vaccination needs, which need to be fulfilled, and protected from diseases.
You should communicate any concerns regarding vaccines during pregnancy directly with your healthcare provider so that they can give you the most pertinent and accurate information.
The Value in Recommended Practice by a Healthcare Provider
This note, along with any other resources you may encounter, should not be considered professional medical advice. Each pregnancy has its distinct characteristics and it is ideal for expecting mothers to seek an attending physician who will guide them through their ultrasound and associated follow-up procedures, more so because they have access to the family’s past and present medical information, along with other risk factors.
Make sure to talk about your vaccination history, or any thoughts you may have with your obstetrician or gynecologist. Expert guidance is essential when evaluating maternal and neonatal outcomes, and will always promote optimal decisions and policies towards safety and health.
Final Thoughts: Supporting Mothers, Shielding Futures
The potential benefits of pregnancy vaccination extend not just to the expectant mother but also to the fetus, further underscoring the CDC’s recommendations on the inactivated influenza vaccine, Tdap vaccine, and overall vaccination considerations guidance during pregnancy. This enables women to proactively safeguard their health ensuring a healthy start for their babies. But embracing pregnancy vaccination is a true expression of unreserved love and devotion to a healthy future, both for the mother and child.
