Vaccination during pregnancy: all you need to know

Vaccination during pregnancy: all you need to know

Vaccination during pregnancy and before pregnancy not only helps to protect the mother's health but also ensures the safety of the baby.

The mother's immune system is the first shield to help the baby against the risk of some serious diseases. So, if you are planning to have a baby or are pregnant, prepare the necessary knowledge about vaccination. Here are some vaccines you should be aware of during pregnancy.

Get vaccinated during pregnancy to prevent the flu

The flu can cause a lot of discomfort for adults, especially those with a chronic illness or those with weak immune systems (including pregnant women). The flu has even more serious effects on children. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that pregnant women get the flu vaccine between October and May because that is when a flu pandemic is likely. Pregnant mothers should also avoid using nasal sprays because they can be the germs that cause the flu.

 

Pregnant mothers should not be subjective, even if they were vaccinated last year, they should still be vaccinated once a year because the immune system in your body will weaken over the years. Besides, the vaccine formula can also be renewed regularly to avoid drug resistance.

If you are planning to have a baby or are pregnant, make sure you have been fully vaccinated and also pay attention to vaccinate your baby in the future.

Vaccines against tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (Tdap)

Tetanus is an infectious disease caused by bacteria that enter the body through scratches on the skin. Toxins caused by these bacteria lead to symptoms related to the nervous system such as seizures, epilepsy. Diphtheria and pertussis bacteria are spread through coughing, sneezing and cause serious breathing problems.

To prevent all 3 types of diseases in adults, health centers often use Tdap vaccine. This vaccine is recommended for pregnant women between 27 and 36 weeks. However, if there is a high risk of infection from those around you or are deeply scratched and want to increase your defense against tetanus bacteria, you can also get Tdap earlier. When the vaccine is injected into the body, your immune antibodies are passed to your baby. This protects your baby from whooping cough until he is old enough to be vaccinated (2 months old).

It is very important to vaccinate babies in the womb and after they reach the age of the vaccination because whooping cough is contagious and causes a high risk of death, while the child's immune system is not complete development.

Other vaccines

During pregnancy, if you are at risk of developing a chronic illness or working and traveling in an unsafe environment, you can seek advice from your doctor before getting the following vaccines:

Anti-pneumococcal vaccine: this vaccine protects you against infections caused by pneumococcus such as pneumonia , meningitis , and ear infections;

Hepatitis A vaccine : you should use this vaccine if you have problems such as: chronic liver disease, using drugs that cause hematoma, working in laboratories containing hepatitis viruses A often travels to places with high rates of hepatitis A infection such as Mexico, Eastern Europe, Central and South America;

Hepatitis B vaccine: the sexually transmitted hepatitis B virus, saliva, and needles cause liver disease and may not show any symptoms for many years. Hepatitis B vaccine is recommended if you have high risk of liver disease such as a health care worker or dialysis patient, having had sex with more than one person in 6 years. months, to countries where hepatitis B epidemic is happening such as Africa, Middle East, Asia and Western Europe;

Meningococcal vaccine: an infectious meningococcal disease causes severe meningitis and can cause death within 24 to 48 hours due to the rapid growth of bacteria. It is not common, but you should still get vaccinated to avoid the risk of it.

What if i'm allergic to the vaccine?

Serious reactions to vaccines are rare. Your doctor will skip injections that contain your allergen. If you are allergic to baker's yeast, you should skip the hepatitis B vaccine. You should also not get the flu vaccine if you are allergic to eggs. In this case, you should consult your doctor for alternative prevention of the above diseases.

When the baby is in the womb, when the baby is completely surrounded by the mother, your health is also the vitality of the baby. So, protect yourself and your baby by having regular maternity check-ups, full vaccination scheduled for you and your baby after birth, eating well and living a healthy lifestyle.

 

Leave a Comment

How to Take Prenatal Vitamins When They Trigger Nausea

How to Take Prenatal Vitamins When They Trigger Nausea

Prenatal vitamins can worsen nausea, especially on an empty stomach. Learn practical timing and food adjustments, safer options to discuss, and when to call your pregnancy care team.

What Can Cause Leg Cramps During Pregnancy at Night?

What Can Cause Leg Cramps During Pregnancy at Night?

Nighttime leg cramps are common in pregnancy, but their exact cause is often unclear. Learn likely contributors, safe relief steps, and warning signs that need prompt care.

What Should You Pack When Hospital Storage Space Is Limited?

What Should You Pack When Hospital Storage Space Is Limited?

Pack a small hospital bag with the essentials, protect important medical aids, and check which items your hospital provides or restricts.

Pregnancy Swelling: When to Call for Same-Day Advice

Pregnancy Swelling: When to Call for Same-Day Advice

Learn when pregnancy swelling can wait for routine discussion, when to call maternity care the same day, and which symptoms need emergency help now.

Pregnancy Heartburn: Relief Without Skipping Needed Nutrition

Pregnancy Heartburn: Relief Without Skipping Needed Nutrition

Ease pregnancy heartburn with smaller meals, smart timing, and pregnancy-aware medication advice—without cutting nutritious foods or skipping prenatal supplements.

How to Prepare Older Children for a New Baby Without Pressure

How to Prepare Older Children for a New Baby Without Pressure

Help older children adjust to a new baby with honest, age-appropriate conversations, optional ways to join in, steady routines, and space for mixed feelings.

How to Sleep More Comfortably With Pregnancy Hip Pain

How to Sleep More Comfortably With Pregnancy Hip Pain

Try pregnancy-safe pillow positioning and gentle turning strategies for hip pain at night, and learn when persistent pain or other symptoms need medical care.

Why Can Morning Sickness Return After Several Better Days?

Why Can Morning Sickness Return After Several Better Days?

Morning sickness can ease and return as pregnancy symptoms fluctuate. Learn common triggers, practical steps, and when nausea or vomiting needs medical attention.

Why Can Fetal Movement Feel Different From One Day to the Next?

Why Can Fetal Movement Feel Different From One Day to the Next?

Fetal movement can feel different as pregnancy progresses, but a clear change in your baby’s usual pattern needs prompt attention. Learn what may affect what you feel and when to call.

A Flexible Birth Plan: How to Set Priorities and Prepare for Change

A Flexible Birth Plan: How to Set Priorities and Prepare for Change

Build a flexible birth plan by comparing pain relief, birth setting, support, and newborn care—and writing backup preferences for an unpredictable labor.