Some vaccines are recommended during pregnancy while others are not

During pregnancy it is important to prevent certain illnesses because of the risks they entail for the mother or the baby. Before becoming pregnant, women should check their vaccination status according to the official calendar of the place in which they live, and should also ask their gynaecologists any questions they may have.

Vaccines recommended in pregnancy

• Tetanus vaccine – If the mother has not had all three doses and the booster at 10 years, she should have this vaccination during the first trimester, because there is a risk of infection during childbirth. The vaccination is not dangerous for the mother or foetus and the baby will be protected for up to six months. The same applies to diphtheria, which is generally administered at the same time as the tetanus vaccine.
• Influenza vaccine – Pregnant women are particularly vulnerable to the influenza virus, so vaccination is recommended at any stage of pregnancy, especially in the case of women with respiratory or heart problems, high blood pressure or diabetes.
• Whooping cough – Although this disease is supposed to have been eradicated, because of recent cases where babies died from this disease, the authorities are recommending vaccination so that the mother’s antibodies protect the baby for two months, until the baby can be vaccinated.
• Hepatitis A and B – These vaccines are recommended in particularly risky situations (if living with sick people, drug addicts, liver disease or occupational risk). This vaccine is not dangerous for the mother or foetus.
• Pneumococcal vaccine – This is considered safe in comparison to the harm that the disease would cause to the foetus, but it is only recommended in situations where there is a high risk of pneumococcal infection.
• Occasionally, in the case of unavoidable travel to endemic areas, vaccination against polio, rabies, yellow fever or typhoid fever may be recommended. These vaccines should only be administered to expectant mothers if it is clearly necessary and after a very comprehensive analysis of the risks and benefits.

Which vaccines are NOT recommended?

• Vaccine against the human papilloma virus. Although this is an inactive vaccine, there is no information about its safety and is therefore not recommended.
• Triple viral vaccine (measles-mumps-rubella). This vaccine is part of the official schedule, so the baby will be protected during the first few months of life. However, it should not be given during pregnancy.

If you are pregnant, always ask you gynaecologist whether or not you should get vaccinated. If you suspect you might be pregnant, tell your healthcare professional before having any vaccinations.

This post is also available in: Spanish