Every day, expectant mothers have to make important choices to ensure the health and safety of their babies throughout their pregnancy. Among these choices has to do with knowing which vaccines are safe during pregnancy and which ones they should avoid.
This blog post will equip you with what you need to know about the vaccines that are generally recommended for women during pregnancy. However, keep in mind that every woman’s situation is different, so you should still consult with your OB/GYN before making any decisions.
Are Vaccines Safe During Pregnancy?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), along with a panel of experts who make vaccine recommendations, carefully review the available safety data before recommending any vaccines for pregnant women.
Moreover, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), after approving a certain vaccine, continues to oversee its production and hold it to the most rigorous scientific standards for effectiveness and safety.
It is also worth mentioning that vaccines, like medicines, may have some side effects. However, these are mild and temporary. Side effects may include the following:
- Fever
- Tiredness
- Body aches
- Redness, tenderness, and swelling at the injection site
Which Vaccines Should I Have During Pregnancy?
If you are trying for a baby, you should speak with your healthcare provider about getting up to date with your vaccines and determine which vaccines you require. Some vaccines, including the MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine, should be given one month or more prior to pregnancy.
If you are pregnant, the CDC recommends that you should get two vaccines– the inactivated flu vaccine injection and the Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis). The Tdap vaccine is required between the 27th and 36th week to protect your baby from the three diseases, which are potentially fatal.
The COVID-19 vaccine is also recommended for pregnant and lactating women or those who are trying to get pregnant or planning to be in the future. As you may know, the SARS–CoV–2 virus is notorious for its capability to wreak havoc in multiple organ systems. Getting the COVID-19 vaccine during pregnancy is crucial for protecting you and your baby from potentially serious complications.
Which Vaccines Are Not Suitable for Pregnant Women?
Some vaccines, particularly those that contain live pathogens (live attenuated vaccines), are not suitable during pregnancy. Live attenuated vaccines are manufactured by reducing the ability of an infectious pathogen to cause disease without killing the organism. This type of vaccine works by replicating the organism in the vaccinated person in order to produce an immune response.
Vaccines that are not recommended for pregnant women include the following:
- Human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccine
- Live influenza vaccine (nasal flu vaccine)
- Measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine
- Varicella (chicken pox) vaccine
If you have any concerns about vaccines that are not on this list, you should talk to your healthcare provider.
Prenatal Care near me in Decatur, Stonecrest, and Stone Mountain, GA
If you’re in search of a reliable OB/GYN in Georgia to partner with you in this amazing journey to motherhood, visit us here at Dekalb Women’s Specialists. Our board-certified OB/GYNsare dedicated to providing compassionate and nurturing care to women before, during, and after their pregnancy and to helping them give their babies the healthiest start in life.
To learn more about our services or to book a visit with one of our OB/GYNs, call us at (404) 508-2000 or you can request an appointment right here on our website. We are eager to serve you at one of our three convenient locations: Stonecrest, Decatur, or Stone Mountain, Georgia!
