What to Know About Maternal Vaccination
Maternal vaccines are a vital part of prenatal care, helping protect pregnant mothers and their pregnancy while also providing crucial early protection from vaccine-preventable diseases during a baby’s first months of life.
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The Importance of Maternal Vaccination
Vaccination during pregnancy helps infants develop immunity through antibodies passed from the mother, providing important protection during the first few months of life before they can get vaccinated and when babies are most vulnerable.
Women who are expecting can also be at higher risk of diseases like the flu and COVID-19. Vaccines that help protect against whooping cough (Tdap), flu, COVID-19, and RSV can help reduce the risk of becoming seriously ill or needing to be hospitalized during pregnancy.
Vaccines Recommended During Pregnancy
Expecting mothers are recommended to receive four vaccines during pregnancy: Tdap (whooping cough), flu, COVID-19, and RSV. These are inactivated vaccines, meaning they do not contain live viruses.
Vaccine Safety During Pregnancy
Maternal vaccination is not new, and all vaccines continue to be tested and monitored for ongoing safety. Reliable and extensive scientific research shows that even small declines in maternal immunization are associated with increases in preterm birth, severe maternal illness, and infant hospitalizations.
Those who are pregnant usually experience mild or no side effects from vaccination, which may include soreness at the injection site or fatigue. These side effects are similar to what people who are not pregnant may experience after vaccination.
Vaccines After Pregnancy
For those who did not receive certain vaccines during pregnancy, their healthcare provider may recommend getting vaccinated after giving birth. Postpartum vaccination helps protect both mother and baby, especially if breastfeeding.
Importance of Well-Baby Visits
After your baby is born, seeing a healthcare provider for well-baby visits is one of the best things you can do to help protect your child from serious illness.
During these visits, your healthcare provider may:
- Provide vaccines that offer the strongest protection against preventable childhood diseases like rotavirus, polio, measles, chicken pox, and other serious illness.
- Recommend immunizations to protect against severe illness from infectious respiratory diseases like whooping cough, pneumococcal disease, RSV, flu, and COVID-19.
- Track your baby’s growth and skills milestones.
- Talk about any other questions or concerns you may have as a parent.
Vaccination is an important part of protecting the mother and baby’s health.
Not sure whether you’re due for a vaccine? Talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist and check out our Vaccine Locator to help find a vaccination location near you.