Vaccination in Pregnancy

Abstract

Pregnant women and newborns are vulnerable to several pathogens and are at high risk of exposure to various infectious diseases. Part of this increased susceptibility in pregnant women is due to pregnancy-related hormones that interact with the immune response. Maternal vaccination is an effective strategy for protecting the mothers as well as their infants and newborns against vaccine-preventable infections acquired at birth via transplacental transfer of maternal antibodies. At present, vaccines routinely recommended for pregnant women are the influenza and Tdap vaccines. A single dose of influenza vaccine is recommended for all pregnant women during the influenza season, which should be repeated during each pregnancy and the Tdap vaccine is recommended during every pregnancy, between 27 and 36 weeks of gestation. In addition, since pertussis infection in newborns or infants is often caused by family members and caregivers who come in direct contact with the baby, obstetrician-gynecologists should encourage the administration of the Tdap vaccine to these individuals at least 2 weeks before coming into contact with the newborn. In addition to influenza and Tdap vaccines, some vaccines such as hepatitis A and B vaccines can be used to protect from infectious diseases through vaccination in high-risk conditions or practices, such as travel to endemic areas, exposure, and during outbreaks. Maternal immunization is an important public health strategy to protect pregnant women and their babies. Healthcare providers should confidently promote vaccination during pregnancy as they are regularly trained to advise women on the latest immunization information.