Vaccination Recommendations During Pregnancy

Vaccines are an important part of prenatal care.

During pregnancy, your immune system shifts to support your growing baby, and those changes can make some infections harder on your body.

Infants are also more vulnerable in their first few months of life, before they can receive their own immunizations.

Vaccination during pregnancy helps prevent serious infections. It also gives your newborn a layer of protection against illnesses in those first weeks.

Women’s Health Clinic of Southern Oregon in Springfield, OR, and Ashland, OR has providers specializing in every aspect of your pregnancy.

How Do Vaccines Work?

When you get a vaccine, your immune system learns to recognize a specific pathogen (germ). This helps it fight the pathogen without getting sick.

The vaccine introduces an inactivated version of the germ, or a component of it, that prompts your immune system to make antibodies. These antibodies circulate in your bloodstream and build what’s called immunologic memory. Immunologic memory means that if you encounter the actual germ later, your body is ready to respond quickly and effectively.

Does Getting a Vaccine Protect My Baby?

During pregnancy, many of your antibodies cross the placenta and enter your baby’s bloodstream before birth. Because you are sharing your immunity with your baby, they are born with a head start in protection against some diseases.

After birth, these maternal antibodies also help to shield the baby from serious infections. This added defense is crucial. That’s because babies can’t receive many vaccines until they are older.

Which Vaccines are Routinely Recommended During Pregnancy?

1. Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria & Pertussis)

Tdap is recommended during every pregnancy, even if you’ve already received it in the past. The P in Tdap stands for pertussis. Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, can be life-threatening for very young infants. They are too young to be fully vaccinated themselves.

The optimal timing is between 27 and 36 weeks of gestation to maximize the transfer of protective antibodies to your baby.

2. Flu Vaccine (Influenza)

The inactivated or recombinant influenza vaccine should be given as soon as it’s available for the season. Ideally, the vaccine should be administered before the flu season begins, but it can be given during any trimester if you are pregnant and the virus is still circulating in the community. Ideally, the vaccine should be administered before the flu season begins. But if the virus is already circulating in your area, it’s not too late to get vaccinated. Pregnant women are at higher risk for severe flu illness. And the baby also benefits from maternal immunity after birth.

3. COVID-19 Vaccine

Experts recommend getting the updated COVID-19 vaccine:

• While planning a pregnancy
• At any point during pregnancy
• After delivery
• While breastfeeding

The vaccine lowers the risk of serious illness from COVID-19 in pregnant women. It also helps reduce complications like severe maternal illness, preterm birth, and stillbirth. Getting vaccinated during pregnancy also passes protective antibodies to your baby.

4. RSV Vaccine (Respiratory Syncytial Virus)

Pregnant women should get the maternal RSV vaccine during RSV season. This helps protect their newborns from serious respiratory illness.

Doctors recommend this vaccine if you didn’t receive an RSV vaccine in a previous pregnancy and if you’re not planning for your baby to receive an RSV monoclonal antibody after birth. If you decide to skip the maternal RSV vaccine, your baby will need the monoclonal antibody shortly after delivery to ensure they have protection.

Getting the RSV vaccine during pregnancy allows your body to pass protective antibodies to your baby before birth. This early immunity helps lower the chance of serious RSV infection, reduces the need for hospitalization, and supports a safer, healthier start for your newborn.

The vaccine is recommended between 32 and 36 weeks of pregnancy, as long as you aren’t expecting to deliver within the next two weeks. Getting your vaccines on schedule protects your health and gives your baby important antibodies before they’re old enough for their own shots.

Vaccination Recommendation FAQs

1. Can multiple vaccines be given at the same time?

Yes. Most recommended vaccines in pregnancy can safely be given during the same visit. The maternal RSV vaccine can be given with other vaccines, but it has a very specific timing window, between 32 and 36 weeks of pregnancy. Because of this, your doctor may space things out depending on where you are in your pregnancy and which vaccines you still need.

2. What side effects might I experience, and what should I watch for?

Most women have mild, short-term side effects after vaccination. You may notice:

• A sore arm
• Low-grade fever
• Tiredness
• Body aches

These symptoms should only last for a day or two and are normal signs that your immune system is responding. Serious reactions are rare. But you should contact your doctor if you develop a high fever, symptoms that last longer than a couple of days, or anything that feels concerning.

3. How will getting vaccinated affect my baby?

When you get vaccinated during pregnancy, you pass antibodies to your baby. These antibodies help protect them from infections in their first months of life. It’s an easy way to give your baby extra protection against illness.