From the Guidelines
Pregnant women should receive the Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis) vaccine between 27 and 36 weeks of each pregnancy, the seasonal influenza (flu) vaccine at any stage of pregnancy during flu season, and the COVID-19 vaccine as recommended by healthcare providers, as these vaccines have been shown to be safe and effective in this population 1. The Tdap vaccine is recommended to be administered between 27 and 36 weeks of gestation to allow antibodies to pass to the baby, providing protection against whooping cough until the infant can be vaccinated. The seasonal influenza vaccine can be administered at any time during pregnancy to protect both the mother and the infant from influenza. Additionally, the COVID-19 vaccine is now recommended during pregnancy, as pregnant women are at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19, and the vaccines have been shown to be safe and effective in this population 1. Other vaccines, such as hepatitis B, may also be recommended for pregnant women who are at risk, while live vaccines like MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) and varicella (chickenpox) should be given at least one month before conception as they are not recommended during pregnancy. It is essential to follow the recommended vaccination schedule to ensure the best possible protection for both the mother and the infant. Key points to consider include:
- Tdap vaccine: administer between 27 and 36 weeks of gestation
- Seasonal influenza vaccine: administer at any stage of pregnancy during flu season
- COVID-19 vaccine: administer as recommended by healthcare providers
- Hepatitis B vaccine: administer to pregnant women who are at risk
- Live vaccines (MMR, varicella): administer at least one month before conception.
From the Research
Vaccinations During Pregnancy
The following vaccinations are recommended during pregnancy:
- COVID-19 vaccine: Studies have shown that co-administration of COVID-19 and influenza vaccines is safe and effective 2, 3.
- Influenza vaccine: The influenza vaccine is recommended for pregnant women to protect against seasonal influenza 2, 3.
- Other vaccinations: There is limited information available on other vaccinations during pregnancy in the provided studies.
Safety of Vaccinations During Pregnancy
The safety of vaccinations during pregnancy has been studied:
- A comparative safety study found that mRNA COVID-19 vaccines have a different safety profile compared to influenza vaccines, with a higher risk of certain cardiovascular complications but a lower risk of neurological complications 4.
- A systematic review and meta-analysis found that vaccination timing can impact immune responses, with morning vaccination eliciting a stronger antibody response than afternoon vaccination, particularly in adults aged 60 and older 5.
Note
One study is not relevant to vaccinations during pregnancy, as it discusses the enzymatic oxidation of propargylglycine 6.