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Getting Vaccinated During Your Pregnancy

Getting vaccinated during your pregnancy

Pregnancy is an exciting time. Protecting your health and your baby’s wellbeing is a top priority. Vaccinations during pregnancy are a safe and effective way to protect yourself and your newborn baby against serious illnesses.

Why are vaccines important during pregnancy?

There are a few reasons in particular why it is important to receive specific vaccines during pregnancy.

Firstly, your immune system changes and makes you more vulnerable to certain infections which can harm both you and your baby. 

Some illnesses like influenza (the flu), whooping cough (pertussis) or respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) can lead to severe complications in your newborn baby.

Having vaccines against these illnesses during the right time in your pregnancy will allow your body to produce protective antibodies, which will pass across the placenta to your baby. This allows them to be protected from birth, and for the first few months of life until they are old enough to receive vaccines themselves.

Key vaccines recommended for pregnant women:

1. Influenza (Flu) Vaccine

Recommended during any trimester, in particular 2nd or 3rd trimester during the flu season, in each pregnancy.

2. Pertussis (Whooping Cough) Vaccine

Given as a combined vaccine with diphtheria and tetanus, between mid-2nd trimester and early 3 rd trimester, preferably 20- 32 weeks of pregnancy.

3. RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) Vaccine

This new vaccine is recommended at 28-36 weeks of pregnancy.

What about live vaccines?

Live vaccines include the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR), varicella (chickenpox) or yellow fever vaccines; and are not recommended during pregnancy. This is because live vaccines use a weakened form of these viruses, and while the risks are largely theoretical, they should be avoided to ensure maximum safety. If you need a live vaccine, it’s important to receive it at least 28 days before trying to conceive.

What if I’m worried about receiving vaccines?

It is very normal to be worried about vaccines, or any medications that you are putting into your body, especially when you are pregnant. Talking to your healthcare provider is the best way to get accurate information and reassurance.

Special Considerations

If you have specific medical conditions, are on certain medications, or have other risk factors that you are aware of- it would be important to speak to your healthcare provider who will provide you with a more tailored plan around vaccination, to ensure both you and your baby are safe.


References

1. Immunisation for pregnancy, last updated 13 Nov 2024, Australian Government, Department of Health and Aged Care, https://www.health.gov.au/topics/immunisation/when-to-get-vaccinated/immunisation-for-pregnancy

2. Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI). Australian Immunisation Handbook, Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care, Canberra, 2022, immunisationhandbook.health.gov.au

3. Clinical Guideline- Pre-pregnancy and pregnancy related vaccinations (C-Obs 44), interim update Oct 2024, Royal Australia & New Zealand College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists (RANZCOG). https://ranzcog.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/Pre-Pregnancy-and-Pregnancy-Related-Vaccinations.pdf


Disclaimer:

This blog post was written by Dr Linny Kimly Phuong, a Paediatric Infectious Diseases Physician based in Melbourne, Australia. You may find her on her professional Instagram account @drlinnylp.

The information contained within this article was factually correct as at 4th December 2024. This article is not a substitute for medical advice. Please speak with your healthcare professional for tailored advice and recommendations.




20 January 2025
Category: News
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