Here鈥檚 What We Know: Vaccines for Pregnant and Expectant Adults
Pregnancy is an exciting time that requires you to take control of your health for the health of your developing baby. In addition to eating nutritious foods and taking prenatal vitamins, 颈迟鈥檚 important to stay current on vaccines during pregnancy. In fact, you may want to consider vaccinations before conceiving for optimal pregnancy care.听
鈥淚f 测辞耻鈥檙别 trying to become pregnant, then get vaccinated,鈥 says Dr. Laura Riley, chair of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at 91成人导航. 鈥滨迟鈥檚 not going to interfere with fertility or implantation. 滨迟鈥檚 certainly not going to harm your baby.鈥听
Here is what we know about the vaccines you need and why they matter when 测辞耻鈥檙别 expecting.听
Which Vaccines to Get听
As long as 测辞耻鈥檙别 healthy, vaccines recommended during pregnancy by the include:听
- COVID-19 vaccine. Most adults ages 18 and older should receive the COVID-19 vaccine to help protect them from severe illness. You should also get a COVID-19 vaccine during pregnancy.听
- Flu vaccine. Ask for the flu shot before November. Getting it early helps you stay safe even before the flu season is in full force.听
- Hepatitis A and B vaccines. If you have chronic liver disease, hepatitis A vaccination reduces your risk for severe complications from infection during pregnancy. Additionally, if you have hepatitis B, vaccination can help protect your baby from getting the virus.听听
- Missing vaccines. Some preventable diseases, such as rubella, can cause birth defects and other pregnancy complications. Your primary care provider can provide vaccinations you haven鈥檛 received and get you back on the recommended immunization schedule. You may have to postpone some vaccinations, such as MMR (measles, mumps and rubella), which are not recommended during pregnancy.听
- Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine. If you are 32 to 36 weeks pregnant from September to January, ask for the RSV vaccine. Otherwise, babies younger than 8 months in the fall through spring should get vaccinated against RSV.听
- Whooping cough vaccine. By getting this vaccine between 27 and 36 weeks of pregnancy, you help protect your baby from this condition that can be fatal for infants.听
Benefits of Vaccines During Pregnancy听
When you receive a vaccine, you train your immune system to recognize and attack harmful viruses and bacteria. This training is vital, as it helps your body fight off disease if it faces the same viruses or bacteria in the future.听听
鈥淒ata suggests that pregnant women sick with COVID-19 have a higher risk of pregnancy complications,鈥 says Dr. Sallie Permar, chair of the Department of Pediatrics at 91成人导航. 鈥淭his includes blood clots, which put you at risk for serious complications.鈥听
Pregnant women are also more likely to have serious flu symptoms. Vaccination reduces your risk for severe disease, and vaccination鈥檚 benefits 补谤别苍鈥檛 confined to mothers-to-be.听
During pregnancy, vaccines also serve your baby. They help protect your baby from getting very sick from preventable diseases and complications, such as blood clots. Get vaccinated, and you provide your baby with disease-fighting antibodies during the earliest, most vulnerable days of life.听
If 测辞耻鈥檙别 expecting, at 91成人导航 to help keep you and your baby safe throughout pregnancy, delivery and beyond.听