Vaccinations during pregnancy: protection for mother and child

Are you pregnant or planning to be? Then it's important to familiarize yourself with vaccinations during pregnancy. Protection against certain diseases during this special time greatly impacts your health and that of your unborn child. Vaccinations can provide a vital shield for both you and your baby, especially against infections like the flu or whooping cough.

This article will guide you on which vaccinations are recommended before and during pregnancy and why they are crucial. You'll also get an overview of vaccinations to avoid and learn which ones are advisable before and after pregnancy. With this information, you can make informed decisions in consultation with your doctor to protect your and your baby's health as best as possible.

Recommended Vaccinations During Pregnancy

During your pregnancy, it is important to protect yourself and your unborn child from certain infectious diseases. The Standing Committee on Vaccination (STIKO) recommends specific vaccinations for pregnant women. Here’s more about the three most important vaccinations you should consider during pregnancy:

Influenza Vaccination

STIKO recommends that all expectant mothers get vaccinated against influenza (flu) starting from the second trimester. If you have an underlying condition such as asthma, diabetes, or high blood pressure, you should receive the vaccination in the first trimester.

The flu vaccine is safe for pregnant women as it is an inactivated vaccine. It not only protects you from infection but also passes antibodies to your baby. Studies have shown that infants of vaccinated mothers are significantly less likely to contract influenza.

COVID-19 Vaccination

The COVID-19 vaccine is recommended for pregnant women who are unvaccinated or incompletely vaccinated. You should aim to build basic immunity, consisting of three contacts with the virus—either through vaccination or infection. At least one of these contacts should be through vaccination.

The vaccination should be administered from the second trimester. If you have an underlying condition, annual booster vaccinations in the fall are recommended in addition to basic immunity.

Pertussis Vaccination

STIKO recommends that all pregnant women receive a pertussis (whooping cough) vaccination in the third trimester. If there is a higher risk of preterm birth, the vaccination should be brought forward to the second trimester.

This vaccination is especially important because infants are at high risk during the first months of life. Around 12,000 cases of pertussis are reported annually in Germany, with infants under two months being at the highest risk for severe cases.

The pertussis vaccination during pregnancy leads to high antibody concentrations in both you and your newborn. Studies have shown that this vaccination reduces the likelihood of pertussis in infants during the first two to three months of life by about 90%.

Note that these vaccinations are recommended in every pregnancy, as antibody concentrations decrease relatively quickly after vaccination. Talk to your doctor about the best timing for these important vaccinations to optimally protect you and your baby.

Source: Robert Koch Institute

Vaccinations Not Recommended During Pregnancy

While some vaccinations are recommended during pregnancy, there are also those you should avoid during this time. It is important to be aware of these to protect your health and that of your unborn child.

Live Vaccines

As a rule, you should not receive live vaccines during pregnancy. These vaccines contain weakened but live pathogens and are contraindicated during pregnancy for theoretical safety concerns. Live vaccines include those against rubella, measles-mumps-rubella (MMR), and varicella (chickenpox).

If you have received a live vaccine, it is advisable to avoid pregnancy for one month afterward. This gives your body time to process the vaccine before becoming pregnant.

Measles-Mumps-Rubella Vaccination

The MMR vaccine is a live vaccine and should therefore not be administered during pregnancy. Ideally, you should already have full vaccination protection before becoming pregnant. Everyone should be protected for life through two MMR vaccinations.

If you are planning a pregnancy, it is important to check your vaccination status. If you are not fully vaccinated, you should complete the vaccination before pregnancy.

Varicella Vaccination

The varicella (chickenpox) vaccine is also a live vaccine and should be avoided during pregnancy. If you are of childbearing age, it is advisable to confirm your immunity against varicella through an antibody test.

If you do not have antibodies, you should definitely be vaccinated twice, at least four weeks apart, before becoming pregnant. This protects you and your future baby from the risks of a varicella infection during pregnancy.

It is important to know that an accidental vaccination with the MMR, rubella, or varicella vaccine in early pregnancy does not, according to national and international guidelines, justify a termination. Many documented cases have shown no negative effects or increased risk of congenital abnormalities.

Always discuss your vaccination status with your doctor, especially if you are planning a pregnancy. They can help you optimize your vaccination protection and make the right decisions for your health and that of your future baby.

Vaccinations Before and After Pregnancy

Checking Your Vaccination Status

If you are planning to have a child, it is important to check your vaccination status. Ideally, you should close any vaccination gaps before pregnancy occurs. Review your vaccination record with your gynecologist or general practitioner. It is recommended that you get the necessary vaccinations or boosters at least three months before planning a pregnancy.

Closing Vaccination Gaps

It is especially important to ensure adequate immunity against the following diseases before pregnancy:

• Measles
• Rubella
• Chickenpox (Varicella)
• Whooping cough (Pertussis)
• Hepatitis B

These vaccinations should be done with live vaccines, which are not administered during pregnancy. After a live vaccine, you should avoid pregnancy for one month.

Missing or incomplete vaccinations against tetanus, diphtheria, and polio should be completed according to STIKO’s general recommendations. Annual flu vaccination is also urgently required, as severe flu cases with risks to the unborn child are known in pregnant women.

Vaccinations During the Postpartum Period

After the birth of your child, you can receive all vaccinations recommended by STIKO, including during breastfeeding. It is advised to close any existing vaccination gaps. The following standard vaccinations are safe:

• Influenza
• Measles
• Mumps
• Rubella
• Polio
• Diphtheria
• Whooping cough
• HPV
• Chickenpox

The whooping cough vaccination is particularly important. STIKO recommends that young mothers who are not sufficiently protected be vaccinated in the first few days after birth. Whooping cough can be life-threatening for infants.

By closing vaccination gaps, you not only protect yourself from serious infectious diseases but also your baby, as it cannot get infected through you.

Conclusion

Vaccinations during pregnancy have a significant impact on your health and that of your unborn child. You should protect yourself especially against influenza, COVID-19, and whooping cough, while avoiding live vaccines like MMR and varicella. It is important to check your vaccination status before pregnancy and close any gaps to best protect you and your baby.

Remember that you can catch up on all recommended vaccinations after giving birth. This protects not only you but also your newborn from dangerous diseases. Always talk to your doctor about your individual situation to make the best decisions for your health and that of your baby. With the right vaccination protection, you can enjoy your pregnancy with peace of mind and look forward to the arrival of your child.

You might also be interested in these articles