Things you need to know
- During pregnancy, your health is at a sensitive stage and hence you require a higher degree of protection. Vaccines safeguard your health against various diseases that you may develop.
- It is important to ensure that your vaccination status is up-to-date. You should seek comprehensive antenatal care to stay at the top of your health.
- Some vaccinations provide protection against specific diseases till your baby is ready to receive their own vaccination.
Are vaccines safe during pregnancy?
Pregnant women are highly sensitive and susceptible to developing a range of health conditions. They are, hence, considered part of a high-risk group. Vaccines are crucial to help protect the safety and health of you and your child during pregnancy.
Comprehensive antenatal care can help you understand and receive necessary vaccinations when you are pregnant. Pregnant women receive vaccines which are not live.
The vaccines that are recommended during pregnancy are completely safe.
Vaccines recommended in pregnancy
The following vaccines are recommended and indicated during pregnancy:
Flu (influenza) shot
Pregnancy women should get a flu or influenza shot to avoid the effects of seasonal flu. You can take the flu shot during any trimester of the pregnancy.
Tdap vaccine
Tdap vaccine provides protection against tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis for both the baby and the mother. Your obstetrician may recommend taking a Tdap vaccine between 27 and 36 weeks of pregnancy. Tdap vaccines also protect against whooping cough and hence a separate vaccine may not be needed.
Whooping cough
Whooping cough is a contagious respiratory tract infection that can cause severe complications to babies. It is advised that pregnant women should get a whooping cough vaccine from 16-32 weeks of pregnancy.
COVID19 vaccine
Latest updates suggest that pregnant women should seek COVID19 vaccination after consulting their obstetrician. COVID19 vaccines are safe and effective against different types of variants of coronavirus.
Other vaccinations
Depending on your risk factors and your overall health, your healthcare provider may recommend the following vaccinations to protect you against other diseases. These include:
- Pneumonia
- Meningitis
- Hepatitis A and B
- Haemophilus Influenzae Type b (also called Hib)
It is advised that you should wait at least 14 days after getting the COVID-19 vaccine to get any other vaccine.
BCG for tuberculosis, HPV, MMR, Varicella and Zoster vaccines are not recommended during pregnancy.
