Which Vaccines Do I Need After My Baby Is Born
After your baby is born, you may need to get vaccines to protect against:
- Whooping cough: If you didnt get the whooping cough vaccine when you were pregnant, youll need to get vaccinated right after delivery. Other people who spend time with the baby may also need to get the whooping cough vaccine.
- Measles, mumps, and rubella, and chickenpox: If youre not already protected from measles, mumps, rubella, or chickenpox, youll need to get vaccinated before you leave the hospital.
All routinely recommended vaccines are safe for breastfeeding women.
Learn more about vaccines your baby needs early in life .
About Author: Ken Harris
Ken Harris is the proudest father and a writing coordinator for the Marketing & Communications division of OSF HealthCare.He has a bachelor’s in journalism from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and worked as a daily newspaper reporter for four years before leaving the field and eventually finding his way to OSF HealthCare.In his free time, Ken likes reading, fly fishing, hanging out with his dog and generally pestering his lovely, patient wife.
Safety Of Immunization In Pregnancy For The Fetus And Infant
There is no theoretical reason to anticipate adverse events in the fetus or infant following vaccination with inactivated vaccines during pregnancy. There are no published data indicating that currently authorized inactivated vaccines are teratogenic or embryotoxic or have resulted in specific adverse pregnancy outcomes.
The National Advisory Committee on Immunization has concluded that vaccines that contain thimerosal are safe in pregnancy and should be used if indicated.
In general, live attenuated viral or bacterial vaccines are contraindicated in pregnancy, as there is a theoretical risk to the fetus however, when benefits outweigh this theoretical risk, vaccination with a live attenuated vaccine may be considered .
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Vaccines That May Or May Not Be Recommended During Pregnancy
Some vaccines are recommended during pregnancy if the benefits of the vaccine outweigh the risk of immunization. Sometimes the risks of the vaccine are low compared with the benefits of protection for women who are at high risk of contracting the disease. The likelihood of exposure is also an important factor.
Vaccines that may or may not be recommended during pregnancy are:
What If You’re Allergic To A Vaccine
Serious reactions to vaccines are rare. However, your doctor may tell you to skip certain shots if you have an allergy to a substance they contain. Those who are allergic, for example, to baker’s yeast shouldn’t get the hepatitis B vaccine those with a severe egg allergy should avoid the flu shot and people with a severe allergy to gelatin or to the antibiotic neomycin shouldn’t get the measles, mumps, and rubella or varicella vaccine. If you’re skipping any shots, you should discuss alternate ways to prevent illness with your doctor.
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What Vaccinations Are Not Recommended During Pregnancy
These vaccinations are not recommended during pregnancy:
- BCG for tuberculosis. Tuberculosis is caused by bacteria that usually infects the lungs.
- Zoster to protect you against shingles, which causes a painful rash
If you had any of these vaccinations before you knew you were pregnant, tell your provider.
Are Vaccines Safe During Pregnancy
Certain vaccines are safe and recommended for women before, during, and after pregnancy to help keep them and their babies healthy. The antibodies mothers develop in response to these vaccines not only protect them, but also cross the placenta and help protect their babies from serious diseases early in life. Vaccinating during pregnancy also helps protect a mother from getting a serious disease and then giving it to her newborn.
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Which Vaccines Should I Get If I Am Pregnant
Learn which vaccines are recommended, when to get them, and why they are important for you and your baby.
If you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, the specific vaccines you need are determined by your age, lifestyle, medical conditions, travel, and previous vaccinations.
If you are planning a pregnancy, talk with your healthcare provider about getting up to date on all your vaccines. Some vaccines, such as the measles, mumps, rubella vaccine, should be given a month or more before pregnancy. Your healthcare provider can help you determine if you need this or any other catch-up vaccine.
CDC recommends that pregnant women get two vaccines during every pregnancy: the inactivated flu vaccine and the Tdap vaccine.
Flu vaccine
CDC recommends getting the flu vaccine if you are pregnant during flu season. While flu seasons vary in their timing, CDC recommends getting vaccinated by the end of October, if possible. Getting vaccinated later during flu season, though, can still be beneficial. Flu vaccines have been given to millions of pregnant women over the years, and scientific evidence shows that it is safe. Getting the flu vaccine during pregnancy is one of the best ways to protect yourself and your baby for several months after birth from flu-related complications.
Tdap vaccine
It is safe for women to receive most vaccines right after giving birth, even while breastfeeding. More information about the safety of vaccines during breastfeeding.
Safety Of Immunization In Pregnancy For The Mother
Inactivated vaccines are considered to be safe when administered in pregnancy. Reactions following vaccination with inactivated vaccines are usually limited to the injection site. No increase in anaphylactic reactions or events that might induce preterm labour has been observed following immunization with inactivated vaccines.
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When Should Pregnant People Get The Flu Shot
“Pregnant women can receive the flu shot in any trimester,” Kobylinski-Tognazzini said. So in general, you can go by season: the CDC notes that September or October are typically good months to get the shot, so you’ll be protected all flu season long. “Earlier vaccination can be considered for people who are in the third trimester of pregnancy during those months, because this can help protect the baby after birth during their first months of life ,” the CDC adds.
Vaccine Safety Before During And After Pregnancy
Its important to know that the Tdap and flu vaccines are safe for a pregnant person and their baby. Likewise, the limited information collected for COVID-19 vaccines given to pregnant people have not identified any safety concerns for them or their babies.
- The Tdap and flu vaccines are inactivated vaccines, which means they are made by inactivating or killing the germ during the process of making the vaccine.
- Studies done on the Tdap vaccine have concluded that it is safe and effective for pregnant people and babies.
- Similarly, results from multiple studies on the flu shot continue to support the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine during pregnancy.
- There is limited information available about the safety of the COVID-19 vaccines for people who are pregnant however, based on how these vaccines work in the body, experts believe they are unlikely to pose risk for pregnant people.
It is important to get MMR before becoming pregnant to reduce the risk of becoming infected with rubella which can pass on to the unborn child, causing Congenital Rubella Syndrome . CRS can cause severe birth defects and neurodevelopmental problems. Even though MMR is a safe and effective vaccine, there is a theoretical risk to the baby. This is because it is a live vaccine, meaning it contains a weakened version of the living viruses.
- Live vaccines are generally not recommended during pregnancy.
- If a pregnant person did not get MMR as a child, she should get the vaccine before pregnancy.
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Do I Need To Delay Getting Pregnant Or Fertility Treatments If Im Planning On Getting Vaccinated
Current recommendations say there is no reason to delay conception. If you become pregnant after receiving your first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, you should not delay getting the second dose or your booster dose as scheduled. The only possible known risk for the vaccine is the possibility of a fever, a side effect experienced by around 10-15% of vaccine recipients. In animal studies, high fevers in early pregnancy have been associated with a slight increase in risk of birth defects and pregnancy loss. If this is a concern, the current recommendation is that you take a pregnancy-safe fever reducer such as Tylenol if you experience a fever after getting vaccinated.
If you are undergoing fertility treatments, the current recommendation is to continue the treatments and to get vaccinated. Speak with your physician and/or fertility specialists to make the decision that is best for you.
Vaccine Risk Believed To Be Low
There is no data to indicate the vaccines are dangerous to women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.
In addition, the New England Journal of Medicine published results of a study of 3,958 pregnant women where findings did not indicate any significant safety concerns for those who receive the mRNA COVID-19 vaccines. Further, the study found that any adverse pregnancy and fetal outcomes in those vaccinated against COVID-19 who had a completed pregnancy were similar to incidences reported in studies involving pregnant women during pre-pandemic times.
And please remember, getting vaccinated does not reduce your need to continue following all public health safety guidelines. That means masking, washing your hands often and minding your distance when youre in public.
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Can The Vaccine Affect My Fetus During Pregnancy Or Reach My Baby Through Breastfeeding
The mRNA vaccines work by presenting your body with a small set of genetic instructions for producing the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. Your body uses these instructions to generate the protein, which allows your immune system to learn what it looks like. That way, your immune system can recognize the protein if you should ever encounter the actual SARS-CoV-2 virus and prepare an immune response to keep you from getting sick. mRNA is extremely short-lived and easily degraded this is why the vaccine must be stored at such cold temperatures and used quickly after preparation. Once the vaccine has been injected into your arm, your body either uses the instructions to make those spike proteins or it rapidly breaks down the small amount of mRNA thats remaining. It is therefore extremely unlikely that any of the mRNA would be able to get into breast milk or into the fetus through the placenta. Additionally, because its so easily degraded, it cannot survive the acidic environment of your babys stomach, so the vaccine itself cannot affect your baby.
The vaccine is made up of mRNA, and contains no live virus. Therefore, it is impossible to contract COVID-19 from the vaccine, or spread the virus to others.
Is It Safe To Get The Flu Shot While Pregnant
If you’re pregnant, flu season can be scary. That’s because pregnant people are more likely than others to develop severe symptoms if they get the flu it can even be fatal. And having the virus can harm the developing fetus, as well. So, it’s strongly advised that pregnant people protect themselves against the flu by getting immunized – aka, by getting the flu shot. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists agree that this is the best course of action: flu shots can significantly reduce your risk of catching the flu, and can make your symptoms less severe if you do end up coming down with the virus, according to the CDC. But being pregnant can add an extra layer of caution to everything you do. It’s natural to want to be sure that it’s safe to get a flu vaccine while you’re expecting.
As with any health-related questions you may have when pregnant, it’s always a good bet to talk to your doctor and get specific recommendations directly from them. But POPSUGAR also spoke with Sabina Kobylinski-Tognazzini, DO, a family medicine practitioner in CA, to ask her about getting the flu shot during pregnancy. And she reaffirms that pregnant women should get the flu shot – and that it’s overwhelmingly safe for them to do so.
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Get Vaccinated Against The Flu
vaccine is safe and very important for pregnant women. A pregnant woman who gets the flu is at-risk for serious complications and pregnant women with the flu also have greater chances for serious problems for their unborn babies. These include premature labor and delivery.
Pregnant women can receive the flu shot at any time, during any trimester. In addition, because babies younger than 6 months of age are too young to receive flu vaccine, it is important that everyone who cares for a baby also gets a flu vaccine.
Although some people can be vaccinated against the flu with a nasal spray, this has not been approved for pregnant women. Pregnant women must get flu shots.
Can I Get The Covid
Yes. It is now recommended by the ACOG, the SMFM and Johns Hopkins Medicine obstetrics leaders. Based on available data, it appears safe to receive the COVID-19 vaccine if you are nursing a baby. Although the vaccines were not initially studied in nursing mothers, review of the evidence by the ACOG, SMFM and CDC revealed no adverse safety issues among people and their babies. The vaccines do not contain live virus, so being vaccinated does not pose a risk to the baby. If you are vaccinated for COVID-19, there is no need to delay or discontinue breast-feeding.
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Is It Safe To Get A Flu Shot While Pregnant
Yes, said Kobylinski-Tognazzini. It’s actually very important to get vaccinated against the flu if you’re expecting because, as Kobylinski-Tognazzini explained, “Pregnant women are likely to become much sicker after catching the flu than nonpregnant women due to changes in body chemistry.” And again, catching the flu can be potentially harmful to an unborn baby. According to the Mayo Clinic, getting a fever caused by the flu in early pregnancy can increase the risk of fetal birth defects.
The good news is that getting the flu shot during pregnancy offers protection for your baby, too. “Pregnant mothers who are immunized with the flu vaccine can pass along protective antibodies to their babies after birth,” Kobylinski-Tognazzini said.
Know Your Vaccination History
Your primary care provider should have a record of all the immunizations you have received. Sharing this information with your pre-conception and/or prenatal healthcare professional will help determine which vaccines you will need during pregnancy. If your doctor does not have a current record of your immunizations:
- Ask your parents or other caregivers if they still have your school immunization records. Ask them which childhood illnesses you have already had.
- Contact your pediatrician’s practice to see if they have any information.
Even if you cannot track down your records, your healthcare provider can still protect your health and that of your unborn baby by recommending vaccines appropriate for you.
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What Vaccines Should You Get Before Pregnancy
Certain preventable infections can be harmful during pregnancy. That’s why you should ask for a blood test during a pre-pregnancy checkup to find out if you’re immune to these diseases. If you’re not, you should get vaccinated before becoming pregnant. Just be sure to postpone pregnancy for one month because these shots are made from live viruses that can harm your baby.
What Effects Does The Vaccine Have On Me And My Child While Breast
The data regarding breast-feeding are limited, but some case reports suggest that people who are lactating and who receive the vaccine will pass protective antibodies in the breast milk to their babies. Its important to remember that the vaccines do not contain live virus, so there isnt an infection risk to the baby. You should not delay or discontinue breast-feeding after getting the vaccine.
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Benefits Of Immunization In Pregnancy For The Mother
Vaccines recommended for the protection of a pregnant woman’s health include:
- inactivated influenza vaccine
- acellular pertussis vaccine
- hepatitis B vaccine if susceptible and with ongoing exposure risks
- hepatitis A vaccine if a close contact of a person with hepatitis A or if travelling to an endemic area
- meningococcal vaccine in an outbreak setting or post-exposure, or if indicated by medical condition
- pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine with or without conjugate vaccine if indicated by medical condition
- any other inactivated vaccine if indicated by exposure , travel or by medical condition .
When To Get Vaccinated
Pregnant women can get the flu vaccine during any trimester and should get vaccinated as soon as the vaccine becomes available. Since the flu vaccine is updated annually, its important to get vaccinated every year, especially if you are pregnant.
Pregnant women should get the Tdap vaccine in the third trimester of every pregnancy, preferably at 27-to-36 weeks gestation. Getting vaccinated in the third trimester allows your body to create and pass on disease-fighting antibodies to your baby, giving them short-term protection until they can be safely vaccinated at 2 months of age.
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Why Is It So Important To Get A Covid
The best way to protect yourself and your unborn baby from COVID-19 is by getting vaccinated. Thats why the CDC, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine all strongly recommend that those who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant get immunized against COVID-19.Trusted SourceAmerican College of Obstetricians and GynecologistsCOVID-19 Vaccination Considerations for ObstetricGynecologic CareSee All Sources
Vaccines help the body build up immunity against the virus that causes COVID-19, so if you face the actual virus in the future, your body will know how to fight it off more effectively. If you’re vaccinated, not only are you much less likely to develop COVID-19, but you’re more likely to experience mild symptoms from a breakthrough infection.
What’s more, a booster shot may also help protect your newborn from COVID-19 during the first months of life. Some research has found that the antibodies made after pregnant women received an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine were also found in their breast milk, and a large Norweigan study published in June 2022 found that newborns were less likely to test positive for COVID-19 if their mothers were vaccinated while pregnant.Trusted SourceJAMA Internal MedicineAssociation of COVID-19 Vaccination During Pregnancy With Incidence of SARS-CoV-2 Infection in InfantsSee All Sources
