Understanding vaccines while pregnant and breastfeeding
This content was created as part of the Michigan Vaccine Project, a three-year vaccine education effort supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. Information was current as of the date of publication.
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EmailLearn the benefits and risks of vaccination during pregnancy to make informed healthcare decisions.
Pregnancy is a time of change, learning, and preparation. One of the best ways to prepare for welcoming a new member to the family is by getting vaccinated. While getting vaccinated during pregnancy is something you should always discuss with your doctor, there are some vaccines that are widely recommended before, during and after pregnancy.
What Vaccines Should I Get During Pregnancy?
The CDC recommends that everyone get two vaccines during their pregnancy: the inactivated flu vaccine (given by injection not nasally) and the Tdap vaccine. According to the CDC, “flu vaccines have been given to millions of pregnant women over the years, and scientific evidence shows that it is safe. Getting the flu vaccine during pregnancy is one of the best ways to protect yourself and your baby for several months after birth from flu-related complications.” Additionally, “the Tdap (Tetanus-Diphtheria-Pertussis) vaccine is also recommended during pregnancy, ideally between 27 and 36 weeks of each pregnancy, regardless of how long it has been since your last dose of the vaccine. This vaccine protects you and your baby against Pertussis, more commonly known as whooping cough.”
What Vaccines Should I Not Get During Pregnancy?
There are some vaccines that the CDC recommends not be given during pregnancy due to safety concerns of the developing fetus. These include:
- Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine
- Measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine
- Live influenza vaccine (nasal flu vaccine)
- Varicella (chicken pox) vaccine
- Certain travel vaccines such as yellow fever, typhoid fever, and Japanese encephalitis
Are Vaccines Safe if I am Breastfeeding?
It is safe to receive most vaccines right after giving birth, even while breastfeeding, with one exception. The CDC does not recommended getting the yellow fever vaccine for those who are breastfeeding unless travel to certain countries is unavoidable. Your healthcare provider will be better able to determine if that vaccination benefit outweighs the risks.
Do Babies Carry Their Mother’s Immunity?
According to the National Health Service (NHS), antibodies that mothers receive during pregnancy from vaccination are passed to their unborn babies through the placenta in a process known as passive immunity. Immunity in newborns starts to decrease after the first few weeks or months of life, but passive immunity to measles, mumps, and rubella can last for up to a year.
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) reported that contracting COVID-19 during pregnancy increased the risk of severe disease and death. Research also showed that the antibodies a mother received from getting the COVID-19 vaccine while pregnant may protect their baby for six months or more after birth.
To know what specific vaccines are recommended for you, talk to your doctor as they can vary from person to person based on age, lifestyle, medical conditions, travel, and previous vaccinations.
More information about vaccines during pregnancy can be found at https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pregnancy/index.html
Where can you find vaccines?
To find a vaccine, check with your primary care physician, local health departments, pharmacies, and clinics. You can also visit https://www.vaccines.gov/ to locate a vaccine clinic near you.
If you would like to learn more about vaccines, check out Michigan State University Extension’s partnership with the Michigan Vaccine Project to find links to event schedules, podcasts, publications, webinars, and videos relating to vaccine education at https://www.canr.msu.edu/vaccineeducation/
