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Immunizations for Pregnant Women

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Did you know that your baby gets disease immunity (protection) from you during pregnancy? This immunity will protect your baby from some diseases during the first few months of life but immunity decreases over time. Babies need to be vaccinated starting at birth to stay protected against 14 serious and potentially life threatening diseases. Learn about the vaccines your baby needs to stay protected against potentially harmful diseases from CDC's Parents home page for vaccine information.

Vaccines can help keep you and your growing family healthy. It is important to make sure that your immunizations are up to date before becoming pregnant according to the recommended immunization schedule [282 KB, 4 pages]. Some vaccine-preventable diseases, such as rubella, can pose a serious risk to your health and that of your unborn baby. If you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, the specific vaccinations you need are determined by factors such as your age, lifestyle, high-risk conditions, type and locations of travel, and previous vaccinations.

See the Immunization and Pregnancy Vaccines Chart, which shows the vaccines you may need before, during, and after pregnancy.

Vaccine Safety Before, During and After Pregnancy

CDC has guidelines for the vaccines you need before, during, and after pregnancy. Live vaccines, such as the measles, mumps rubella (MMR) vaccine should be given a month or more before pregnancy. Inactivated vaccines, such as Hepatitis B and some flu vaccines, can be given before or during pregnancy. It is safe for a woman to receive vaccines right after giving birth, even while she is breastfeeding. Be sure to discuss each vaccine with your health care professional prior to getting vaccinated. See the Immunization and Pregnancy Vaccines Chart, which shows the vaccines you may need before, during, and after pregnancy.

Your Vaccination History

Your primary health care professional should have a record of all the immunizations you've received under his/her care. It's also important for you to keep an accurate record of your immunizations. Sharing this information with your pre-conception and/or prenatal health care professional will help determine which vaccines you'll need during pregnancy. If your doctor does not have a current record of your immunizations, you can try:

  • Asking your parents or other caregivers if they still have your school immunization records. Ask them which childhood illnesses you've already had — which sometimes provides immunity in adulthood.
  • Contacting your childhood doctor or pediatric nurse practitioner to see if he/she has any information.

For more information on finding your vaccination records, see CDC's Vaccination Records. Even if you can't track down your records, your health care professional can still protect your health and that of your unborn baby by recommending vaccines appropriate for you.

Important Vaccines for Pregnant Women to Consider

  • Rubella (German measles): Rubella infection in pregnant women can cause unborn babies to have serious birth defects with devastating, life-long consequences, or even die before birth. Make sure you have a pre-pregnancy blood test to see if you are immune to the disease. Most women were vaccinated as children with the combination measles, mumps, rubella vaccine (MMR) but you should confirm this with your doctor. If you need to get vaccinated for rubella, you should avoid becoming pregnant until one month after receiving the MMR vaccine and, ideally, not until your immunity is confirmed by a blood test.
  • Hepatitis B: Hepatitis B is a serious liver disease that can lead to an incurable chronic (long term) infection that may result in liver damage and liver cancer. A baby whose mother has hepatitis B is at highest risk for becoming infected with hepatitis B during delivery. The Hepatitis B virus is spread through exposure to blood or body fluids. If you live with someone infected with hepatitis B, talk to your health care professional about getting testing for hepatitis B and whether or not you should be vaccinated.

    For more information, see Pregnancy and Hepatitis B, and talk with your health care professional.

  • Whooping Cough (Pertussis): Whooping cough (pertussis) is one of the most common vaccine-preventable diseases in the United States. It is caused by bacteria that spread easily from person to person through personal contact, coughing, and sneezing. It can be very serious for babies and can cause them to stop breathing. Hundreds of babies are hospitalized each year for whooping cough, and some die from it. Many infants who get pertussis catch it from their older brothers and sisters, or from their parents — who might not even know they have the disease. Pregnant women who have not been previously vaccinated with Tdap, should receive one dose of Tdap during the second or third trimester or post-partum before leaving the hospital or birthing center. In addition, all family members and caregivers of new infants should also get vaccinated with Tdap.
  • Flu: It is safe, and very important, for a woman who is pregnant during flu season to receive the inactivated flu vaccine. A pregnant woman who gets the flu is at risk for serious complications and pregnant woman with flu also have a greater chance for serious problems for their unborn baby, including 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 are too young to receive flu vaccine, it is important that everyone who cares for your baby also get a flu vaccine. You should continue to get a yearly flu vaccine as the first and most important step in protecting you and your family against flu viruses.

    For more information, see Seasonal Flu Vaccine Safety and Pregnant Women and talk with your health care professional.

  • Vaccines for Travel: If you are pregnant and planning international travel, you should talk to your doctor at least 4 to 6 weeks before your trip to discuss any special precautions or vaccines that you may need. Many vaccine-preventable diseases that are rare in the United States are still common in other parts of the world. Depending on where you plan to travel, you may need additional vaccinations. However, there are some vaccines that should be avoided during pregnancy, so it’s best to weigh the risks and benefits of vaccination based on your destination.

    For more information, see Traveling while Pregnant, found on CDC’s Travelers’ Health web site.

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