Hyderabad-based Gynecologist Dr Haritha Ram has stressed on immunisation during pregnancy to ensure safety of the mother and the child.
As pregnancy modifies a woman’s immune system, heart and lungs, it increases her susceptibility to certain infections, which can lead to severe health complications for both her and the baby, including preterm birth and low-birth weight. Vaccination helps mitigate these risks by providing immune protection to the mother, which in turn extends passive immunity to the fetus.
“Pregnant women are particularly vulnerable to certain diseases because their immune systems adapt to support the growing fetus. These adaptations make them more susceptible to severe complications from infections. Administering specific vaccines during pregnancy not only helps prevent these severe diseases in mothers but also passes on early protection to the newborn, who will not have a fully developed immune system at birth,” said Harita.
The doctor recommends the following vaccinations during pregnancy Influenza vaccine: The seasonal influenza vaccine is recommended for all pregnant women, as influenza can be particularly severe during pregnancy. The vaccine is safe to be administered at any stage of gestation and has been provided to millions of pregnant women over many decades, demonstrating a robust safety record; TDAP vaccine : The Tdap vaccine, which protects against tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (whooping cough), is critical during pregnancy. Pertussis is particularly dangerous for newborns but vaccinating during pregnancy – specifically between the 27th and 36th week can transfer protective antibodies to the fetus. This provides the newborn with a layer of immunity before they are old enough to receive their own vaccinations; COVID-19 vaccine: Given the severity of COVID-19, particularly in pregnant women, vaccination is strongly recommended. Numerous studies have affirmed that the COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective during pregnancy and help prevent severe illness, hospitalisation and adverse pregnancy outcomes.