From the Guidelines
Live attenuated vaccines, including the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, varicella (chickenpox) vaccine, live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV) nasal spray, and yellow fever vaccine, should be avoided during pregnancy due to the theoretical risk of harm to the developing fetus. The smallpox vaccine and BCG (tuberculosis) vaccine should also be avoided. However, inactivated vaccines are generally considered safe during pregnancy. In fact, some vaccines are specifically recommended during pregnancy, including the Tdap vaccine (tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis) between 27-36 weeks of each pregnancy to protect the newborn from whooping cough, and the seasonal inactivated influenza vaccine to protect both mother and baby from flu complications, as supported by studies such as 1 and 1. If a pregnant woman has a specific exposure risk or medical condition, the benefits of vaccination, even with some live vaccines, may outweigh the theoretical risks, as noted in 1 and 1. Always consult with your healthcare provider before receiving any vaccine during pregnancy, as individual circumstances may affect recommendations.
Some key points to consider:
- Live attenuated vaccines pose a theoretical risk to the fetus, but inactivated vaccines are generally safe, as stated in 1 and 1.
- The benefits of vaccinating pregnant women usually outweigh potential risks when the likelihood of disease exposure is high, as noted in 1 and 1.
- Certain vaccines, such as Tdap and inactivated influenza vaccine, are specifically recommended during pregnancy to protect the mother and baby from serious diseases.
- Pregnant women should consult with their healthcare provider before receiving any vaccine to determine the best course of action based on their individual circumstances.
It's also important to note that the risk of disease exposure and the potential consequences of infection should be taken into account when deciding whether to vaccinate a pregnant woman, as discussed in 1 and 1. Ultimately, the decision to vaccinate during pregnancy should be made in consultation with a healthcare provider, as they can provide personalized guidance and recommendations based on the latest evidence and guidelines, such as those outlined in 1 and 1.
From the FDA Drug Label
Pregnancy: Do not administer VARIVAX to females who are pregnant. Pregnancy should be avoided for 3 months following vaccination with VARIVAX. (4.5,8.1,17)
The varicella vaccine should be avoided during pregnancy. According to the drug label, females who are pregnant should not be administered VARIVAX, and pregnancy should be avoided for 3 months following vaccination with VARIVAX 2, 2, 2.
- Key points:
- Do not administer VARIVAX to pregnant females
- Avoid pregnancy for 3 months after VARIVAX vaccination
- Main idea: VARIVAX is contraindicated in pregnancy due to the potential risk of fetal harm.
From the Research
Vaccines to Avoid During Pregnancy
- Live-attenuated vaccines (LAV) are currently contraindicated during pregnancy due to uncertain safety records for the mother-infant pair 3
- Specific live vaccines that should be avoided during pregnancy include:
- In general, vaccines that are not live-attenuated, such as inactivated or toxoid vaccines, are considered safe during pregnancy 4
Special Considerations
- Pregnant women with certain health conditions or compromised immune systems may need to take extra precautions when receiving vaccines 4
- The benefits of vaccination during pregnancy should be weighed against the potential risks, and healthcare providers should consult with pregnant women to determine the best course of action 3