Vaccines & Pregnancy

Some infections during pregnancy can be harmful to the pregnant person and their developing baby. That is why immunizations before, during, and after pregnancy are important.

Before Pregnancy

Before becoming pregnant, you’ll want to discuss plans to grow your family with your healthcare provider. The two of you should review your immunization record to ensure you’ve received all recommended vaccines. If you get certain vaccines, like MMR, you will need to postpone pregnancy for a short period of time.

During Pregnancy

While pregnant, your body is working double time to support both you and growing your little one. Getting some diseases during pregnancy means you’re at increased risk for severe illness, hospitalization, and other complications. Getting recommended vaccines during pregnancy helps protect you and your baby. Vaccines you get during pregnancy can even protect your baby after they are born. Vaccines recommended during pregnancy include: influenza (flu), Tdap, RSV, and COVID-19.

Influenza (Flu)

People who become infected with the flu during pregnancy have a greater chance for severe illness. There are also risks for the unborn baby, including preterm birth. The flu vaccine safeguards both parent and newborn. Your newborn cannot be vaccinated against flu until 6 months of age. Getting the vaccine while pregnant allows your body to pass your protective antibodies onto your baby. This protects them for several months after birth. The vaccine can be given at any time during pregnancy. Research shows that getting the flu vaccine during pregnancy can reduce your risk of flu by 50%. If you’re vaccinated and do get the flu during pregnancy, your risk of hospitalization is also reduced. Getting the flu shot during pregnancy is safe. Getting the flu virus during pregnancy is not.

Tdap (Tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis)

The Tdap vaccine helps protect against three diseases: tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (whooping cough). It is recommended for pregnant people during every pregnancy, regardless of vaccine history. Tdap should be given between 27 and 36 weeks of pregnancy to offer protection before delivery. This way, antibodies (and the immunity they provide) are passed to the baby so they are protected after birth. Tdap vaccination during pregnancy is important because babies cannot be vaccinated with DTaP until they’re 2 months old. (DTaP is the children's vaccine against diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis.) They would not have substantial protection until at least 6 months of age after they’ve received three doses. Therefore, immunity passed from parent to infant is important to keep the baby safe from these diseases in their first months of life. Infants are especially at risk for severe complications from pertussis.

RSV (respiratory syncytial virus)

RSV is a common virus that usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms. However, in infants and young children, RSV infection can be dangerous and even deadly. In fact, RSV is the leading cause of hospitalization for infants in the U.S. There are two options to protect children under 8 months from RSV. Abrysvo, an RSV vaccine, is given to pregnant people between 32 and 36 weeks pregnant between September and January. It provides immediate protection to newborns if given at least 14 days prior to birth. Protection will last around 6 months. The second option to protect infants and newborns from RSV is an immunization treatment called nirsevimab. It is given during their first RSV season. Talk to your healthcare provider to determine which of these options is best to protect your baby from RSV.

COVID-19

Pregnant people and their babies are at increased risk of severe COVID-19 illness. The COVID-19 vaccine can drastically reduce this risk. It also reduces the risk of complications during pregnancy and the risk of hospitalization for your newborn. COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy also helps provide protection to the baby after birth during their first 6 months when they are too young to get vaccinated. People who are trying to get pregnant do not need to avoid pregnancy after getting a COVID-19 vaccine.

If you are exposed to certain germs, or if you’re at high risk for infection, your provider may also recommend other vaccinations during pregnancy.

The CDC does not recommend live attenuated virus vaccines or live bacterial virus vaccines for pregnant people. Highly infectious diseases such as rubella and chickenpox can cause birth defects. However, the vaccines that prevent these diseases are made with a weakened version of a live virus. Other vaccines to avoid in pregnancy include measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR); human papillomavirus (HPV); live influenza (nasal spray); and certain travel vaccines.

After Pregnancy

Some people will need to receive vaccines after giving birth prior to leaving the hospital. This could be due to their disease status or because they are missing some important vaccines recommended for their age group. It will take a couple of weeks for the postpartum parent to generate antibodies and be protected. Then they will pass protection to their babies through breast milk if they breastfeed. It is both safe and beneficial to receive vaccines after birth, even when nursing.

It is also important for adults and adolescents who have regular contact with your newborn to be vaccinated against diseases such as influenza, pertussis, and COVID-19. This can help surround the infant with a "cocoon" of protection against the disease until the baby is old enough to be immunized.

If you have questions about vaccines and pregnancy, please talk to your health care provider.