Vaccination During Pregnancy

We hope that you are eating healthily and doing light exercises during your pregnancy to stay fit and happy. During pregnancy, it is important to try and guard against infections like the flu. And while a good diet during pregnancy and exercises during pregnancy can help you achieve this to some extent, it is also vital to get these two vaccines:

• Influenza: Whether you are pregnant or not, getting the influenza or flu shot is a must to stay safe and healthy during the months of November to March. This shot is safe to take during pregnancy, and your doctor will recommend it or administer it themselves.
• TDap: This vaccination protects you from tetanus, diphtheria and whooping cough. It is a must for pregnant women, even if you have taken the vaccine during a previous pregnancy. This vaccine is usually administered between the 16th week of pregnancy and 32nd week of pregnancy. Research shows that the effects of the vaccine last up to a few weeks after delivery and protect the child from whooping cough in the first few weeks after birth.

Also read: Fever During Pregnancy

While the flu shot and TDap are a must for pregnant women, there are some more vaccines that may be prescribed by your doctor, basis your tests and screenings during pregnancy. These include:

• Hepatitis A: If your doctor feels you may be at risk of contracting hepatitis A, then he/she may recommend that you take the vaccine series during your pregnancy.
• Hepatitis B: If your doctor decides that you are at risk of getting hepatitis B, or if you are a health worker, then you will have to get vaccinated for this viral disease that affects the liver, during your pregnancy. You will also have to ensure that your baby is given the Hep B vaccine within 24 hours of birth.
• Hib: Haemophilus Influenza Type B vaccine should only be administered during pregnancy if your doctor finds you at risk of certain conditions, like the lack of a functioning spleen. If administered, it does not normally jeopardize your pregnancy.
• Meningococcal ACWY: You may need this vaccine if your doctor finds that you are at risk of a few conditions. The vaccine protects against four types of meningococcal bacteria which can cause diseases like meningitis and blood infection (meningococcal septicemia). It is safe to administer this vaccine during pregnancy.
• Meningococcal B: Your doctor will need to determine if you need this vaccine, which protects against another type of meningococcal bacteria. Its effects on pregnant women have not been studied, but in case your doctor decides to administer it, ask him or her about the potential risks and then decide.
• Pneumococcal: You might need both the Pneumovax (PPSV) and the Prevnar (PCV) vaccine if you have diabetes. This vaccine is safe to administer during pregnancy. This vaccine should not be administered to treat gestational diabetes, so it’s best to let your doctor decide if you need it during or after your pregnancy.

Only the influenza vaccine and TDap are recommended to all pregnant. For all other vaccines, it is important to check with your doctor and get all the recommended tests done before you get them.

 There are also some vaccines that pregnant women should actively avoid. These include:

• HPV: The Human Papillomavirus vaccine is usually recommended for women up to 26 years of age. Those between 27 and 45 years of age can get it after consultation with a healthcare provider. However, you should not get it if you are pregnant. If you do take it accidentally, then let your doctor know.
• MMR: This vaccination protects you from measles, mumps and rubella. But you should not be given this vaccine during pregnancy. Your doctor will let you know, after looking at your medical tests and screenings, if you and your baby do need it right after delivery.
• Varicella: This vaccination protects against chickenpox, but should not be administered during pregnancy.
• Zoster: Also known as the Shingrix vaccine, this vaccination protects against shingles. It should not be given during pregnancy because its effects - if accidentally administered - are not known.