The A to Zs for parents-to-be: Answering your questions about vaccination and pregnancy

Planning on starting or growing your family? Ensure your routine immunizations are up-to-date even before you snap a pic of a positive pregnancy test.¹ With those basic vaccines, pregnant people are giving themselves and the baby in their budding bellies protection from common diseases.

Here are the answers to the most common questions when it comes to vaccination during pregnancy.

Question: When should I get vaccinated?

Answer: Since some “live vaccines” – which contain microscopic traces of active disease – are not safe to get during pregnancy, get ahead of the game by prioritizing these before you even start trying for a family.² This immunization baseline will help keep parent and baby safe, even eventually passing on antibodies to their child. Conversely, “inactivated vaccines” are generally considered pregnancy-safe. They may be most beneficial for a fetus when administered at specific times during a pregnancy, such as the last trimester when placental antibody transference is optimal.³

Question: What vaccinations do I need?

Answer: The specific vaccinations you need are determined by your age, lifestyle, medical conditions, future travels, and existing vaccination repertoire.⁴ Your doctor or healthcare provider will be able to steer you in the right direction.

Immunization is also just as important for your partner and other members of your household to avoid contagious illnesses from being transmitted to a pregnant person. If you're travelling abroad or at increased risk of certain infections, other vaccines may also be recommended during pregnancy.⁵

Question: What are the benefits of vaccination during pregnancy?

Answer: As a pregnant person, the immunity you have developed thanks to vaccinations and exposure to contagious illnesses throughout your life is passed on to your baby.⁵ The benefits are even more significant as this protection often lasts beyond the pregnancy and into your baby’s first months of life.

Question: What’s the difference between active and passive vaccines?

Answer: Active vaccines mimic harmful bacteria or viruses, triggering your immune system to produce antibodies as if it’s fighting off the real deal.⁶ Passive vaccines, on the other hand, administer the necessary antibodies that help fight bacteria or viruses, rather than risk-free traces of an active illness.

Question: Is vaccination safe during pregnancy?

Answer: Yes! You must steer clear of live vaccines. However, studies have shown that you can safely continue to seek passive immunizations.² Live-attenuated vaccines are not given to pregnant people to avoid potentially harming the baby.³

Question: Which vaccines are essential for pregnant people?

Answer:

Rubella vaccine: Because this is an active vaccine, you should get the vaccination at least 4 weeks before conceiving.⁵ Catching rubella during pregnancy can have serious consequences for both parent and baby;
Influenza, RSV and COVID vaccines: Pregnancy is technically an immunologically altered state that can leave you more vulnerable to viruses and diseases than typical, so we need to make sure vessel and passenger are kept safe!³ Keep up with your seasonal sickness stoppers including the immunizations for influenza (the flu), coronavirus (COVID) and RSV (respiratory syncytial virus), which all get the pregnancy safety green light.
Pertussis vaccine: Since the immunity delivered by this vaccine wanes over time, pregnant people are encouraged to receive their boosters for tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis between 27 and 32 of gestation.⁵

If you want to know more about pregnancy-safe immunization, consult your healthcare professional and find a vaccination clinic near you.

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This information should not be used as a substitute for the medical care and advice of your doctor. There may be variations in treatment that your physician may recommend based on individual facts and circumstances.