Vaccination During Pregnancy

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Vaccination During Pregnancy

Pregnancy
Am I Pregnant?
Calculating Your Estimated Due Date
Getting Pregnant
Pregnancy and Healthcare Providers
Pregnancy and Nutrition
Having a Healthy Pregnancy
Labor and Delivery
Pregnancy Complications
Preparing Children for the Birth of Brother/Sister
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Having a Healthy Pregnancy
Coping with the Physical Changes and Discomforts of Pregnancy
Colds and Pregnancy
Correct Posture and Body Mechanics During Pregnancy
Avoiding Illicit Drugs During Pregnancy
Follicle Stimulating Hormone and Pregnancy
Sleep During Pregnancy
Sex During Pregnancy
Vaccination During Pregnancy
Pregnancy Bed Rest
Medication Guidelines During Pregnancy
Genetic Amniocentesis
Pregnancy and Oral Health
Kegel Exercises
Exercise During Pregnancy
How Smoking Affects You and Your Baby During Pregnancy
Sexually Transmitted Diseases and Pregnancy
Why is vaccination necessary?
Vaccines strengthen people’s immune systems so that their bodies can fight off serious infectious diseases. Vaccines also benefit society by preventing the spread of communicable diseases.

Why do pregnant women need to be vaccinated?
Many women may not realize that they are not up-to-date on their immunizations and are susceptible to diseases that can harm them or their unborn child. Pregnant women should talk to their physicians to figure out which vaccines they may need and whether they should get them during pregnancy or wait until after their child is born.

How do I know if a vaccine’s ingredients are safe?
All vaccines are tested for safety under the supervision of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The vaccines are checked for purity, potency and safety, and the FDA and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) monitor the safety of each vaccine for as long as it is in use. Some people may be allergic to an ingredient in a vaccine, such as eggs in the influenza vaccine, and should not receive the vaccine until they have talked to their doctor.

Can a vaccine harm my unborn child?
A number of vaccines, especially live-virus vaccines, should not be give to pregnant women because they may be harmful to the baby. (A live-virus vaccine is made using the live strains of a virus.) Some vaccines can be given to the mother in the second or third trimester of pregnancy, while others should only be administered either at least three months before or immediately after the baby is born.

What happens if I am exposed to a disease while I am pregnant?
Depending on the circumstances, your doctor will weigh the risks of vaccination against the benefits the vaccine can provide.

Which vaccines can I receive while I am pregnant?
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.
Influenza--This vaccine can prevent serious illness in the mother during pregnancy, but should be received after the mother has been pregnant for more than 14 weeks. If you have a serious medical condition that can lead to flu-related complications, you can receive the vaccine at any stage of your pregnancy.
Tetanus/Diphtheria--This combination of vaccines are routinely recommended for pregnant women, both those who have never been immunized and those who have not received a booster in 10 years.
Which vaccines should pregnant women avoid?
The following vaccines can potentially be transmitted to the unborn child and may result in miscarriage, premature birth, or birth defects:

Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) - Women should wait at least three months to become pregnant after receiving these live-virus vaccines. If the initial rubella test shows that you are rubella nonimmune, then you will be given the vaccine after delivery.
Varicella - This vaccine, used to prevent chicken pox, should be given at least one month before pregnancy.
Which vaccines are usually not recommended for pregnant women, but may be considered when risks from exposure are high?
Hepatitis A - The safety of this vaccine has not been determined. Women at high risk for exposure to this virus should discuss the risks and benefits of vaccination with their doctors.
Pneumococcal - Because the safety of this vaccine is unknown, it should be avoided in pregnancy except for women who are at high risk or have a chronic illness.
Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV) & Inactivated Polio Vaccine (IPV) - Neither the live-virus (OPV) nor the inactivated-virus (IPV) version of this vaccine is recommended for pregnant women. Also, the risk of getting polio in the United States is very low.
What side effects can I expect after a vaccination?
Side effects vary from none to those that can occur up to three weeks after vaccination. If you experience any severe side effects, be sure to tell your physician.

Hepatitis A - Soreness and redness at injection site, headache, fatigue, severe allergic reaction in very rare cases
Hepatitis B - Soreness at injection site, fever
Influenza - Redness and swelling at injection site that can last up to two days, fever
Tetanus/Diphtheria - Low-grade fever, soreness and swelling at injection site
Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) - Non-contagious rash, swelling of neck glands and cheeks, pain and stiffness of joints one to two weeks after vaccination
Varicella - Fever, soreness or redness at injection site, rash or small bumps up to three weeks after vaccination
Pneumococcal - Fever, soreness at injection site
Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV) - None
Inactivated Polio Vaccine (IPV) - Redness, discomfort at injection site
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This information is provided by the Cleveland Clinic and is not intended to replace the medical advice of your doctor or health care provider. Please consult your health care provider for advice about a specific medical condition. For additional written health information, please contact the Health Information Center at the Cleveland Clinic (216) 444-3771 or toll-free (800) 223-2273 extension 43771 or visit http://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/Pages/default.aspx. This document was last reviewed on: 10/31/2006



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