Vaccines During Pregnancy: Which to Take and Which to Avoid

Introduction

During pregnancy, it is generally safe to receive vaccines made from inactivated viruses, while vaccines containing live viruses should be avoided.

Recommended Vaccines

For pregnant women, the flu vaccine is commonly recommended. Medical experts suggest that pregnant women get the flu vaccine during flu season (usually from November to February) unless they have a severe allergy to eggs or the flu vaccine. Notably, when getting the flu vaccine, it is best to use the traditional injection form, not the nasal spray. The injected flu vaccine is made from inactivated viruses, making it safe for both mother and baby, whereas the nasal spray contains live viruses and is not suitable for pregnant women.

If it has been more than 10 years since your last tetanus and diphtheria vaccine, or if you have had a serious cut or wound, your doctor may recommend a booster shot.

If you are traveling to areas with poor sanitation or are at higher risk of infection, your doctor may recommend additional vaccines, such as hepatitis A, hepatitis B, meningococcal, or pneumococcal vaccines.

Vaccines to Avoid

Certain vaccines should be avoided during pregnancy, including:

• Varicella (chickenpox) vaccine
• Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine
• Measles vaccine
• Mumps vaccine
• Rubella (German measles) vaccine