Did you know that a mothers immunity is passed along to her baby during pregnancy?
This will protect the baby from some diseases during the first few months of life until the baby can get vaccinated.
| Vaccine | Before pregnancy |
During pregnancy |
After pregnancy |
Type of Vaccine |
| Hepatitis A | Yes, if indicated | Yes, if indicated | Yes, if indicated | Inactivated |
| Hepatitis B | Yes, if indicated | Yes, if indicated | Yes, if indicated | Inactivated |
| Human Papillomavirus (HPV) | Yes, if indicated, through 26 years of age | No, under study | Yes, if indicated, through 26 years of age | Inactivated |
| Influenza IIV | Yes | Yes | Yes | Inactivated |
| Influenza LAIV | Yes, if less than 50 years of age and healthy; avoid conception for 4 weeks | No | Yes, if less than 50 years of age and healthy; avoid conception for 4 weeks | Live |
| MMR | Yes, if indicated, avoid conception for 4 weeks | No | Yes, if indicated, give immediately postpartum if susceptible to rubella | Live |
| Meningococcal: • polysaccharide • conjugate |
If indicated | No | Yes, if indicated, give and healthy; avoid conception for 4 weeks | Inactivated Inactivated |
| Pneumococcal Polysaccharide | If indicated | No | Yes, if indicated, give and healthy; avoid conception for 4 weeks | Inactivated |
| Tdap | Yes, if indicated | Yes, vaccinate during each pregnancy ideally between 27 and 36 weeks of gestation | Yes, immediately postpartum, if not received previously | Toxoid/ inactivated |
| Tetanus/Diphtheria Td | Yes, if indicated | Yes, if indicated, Tdap preferred | Yes, if indicated | Toxoid |
| Varicella | Yes, if indicated, avoid conception for 4 weeks | No | conception for 4 weeks immediately postpartum if susceptible | Live |
Which Vaccines Can I Receive While I’m Pregnant?
1st dose of tetanus toxoid -> at 11 to 14 wks
2nd dose of tetanus toxoid ->at 20 to 22 wks
The following vaccines are considered safe to give to women who may be at risk of infection:
• Hepatitis B:
Pregnant women who are at high risk for this disease and have tested negative for the virus can receive this vaccine. It is used to protect the mother and baby against infection both before and after delivery. A series of three doses is required to have immunity. The 2nd and 3rd doses are given 1 and 6 months after the first dose.
• Influenza (Inactivated):
This vaccine can prevent serious illness in the mother during pregnancy. All women who will be pregnant (any trimester) during the flu season should be offered this vaccine. Talk to your doctor to see if this applies to you.
• Tetanus/Diphtheria/Pertussis (Tdap):
Tdap is recommended during pregnancy, preferably between 27 and 36 weeks’ gestation, to protect baby from whooping cough. If not administered during pregnancy, Tdap should be administered immediately after the birth of your baby.
• I pragnant women planning international travel should talk to her doctor about vaccine.
