Immunization of Pregnant/Breastfeeding Women for Ob-gyns

New! Immunization and pregnancy, what vaccines do you need?

New! CDC 2012-2013 Influenza Season Key Points for Pregnant Women:

1. 1) Getting a flu shot protects pregnant women from getting the flu. Studies also have shown that getting a flu shot while you are pregnant can decrease your baby’s risk of getting the flu for up to 6 months after birth.

2. a) Pregnant women are more likely to become severely ill with the flu than women who are not pregnant.

3. b) Pregnant women with the flu have a greater chance for serious problems for their unborn baby, including premature labor and delivery.

4. c) Getting a flu shot is the best way to protect you from the flu and prevent possible flu-associated pregnancy complications.

5. d) When pregnant women get flu shots, they and their babies (after birth) get the flu less often.

6. 2. If you have additional questions, talk to your doctor about flu vaccination during pregnancy.

7. 3. Pregnant women are at high risk of serious flu complications. If you get sick with the flu, call your doctor right away. He or she may recommend treatment with antiviral drugs. (See Antiviral Drugs messages).

8. 4. Babies younger than 6 months of age are too young to get a flu vaccine. To protect these babies from getting the flu, their mothers should get the flu shot during pregnancy. An additional way to protect the baby is for all caregivers and close contacts (including fathers, brothers and sisters, grandparents and babysitters) to get vaccinated against the flu.

9. On October 21, 2011, the CDC released new recommendations for the administration of the Tdap vaccine for pregnant women.  Read the report from the ACIP here.

• See the College's Committee Opinion Update on Immunization and Pregnancy; Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis Vaccination.

Seasonal Flu

All women who will be pregnant during influenza (flu) season (October through May) should receive the inactivated influenza vaccine. The live attenuated influenza vaccine is contraindicated for pregnant women. The influenza vaccine is safe for pregnant women and their unborn children as well as postpartum and breast feeding women and can be given during any trimester. Immunizing pregnant and postpartum women against seasonal influenza can protect the mother and may help her baby by preventing the spread of the flu from mother to child following delivery. The seasonal flu vaccine has been given safely to millions of pregnant women over the past 45 years. The flu shot has been recommended by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for pregnant women for many years.

 A new study Influenza Vaccination Coverage among Pregnant Women in the United States for the 2010-11 Influenza Season found that for the 2010-11 season, 49% of pregnant women had received influenza vaccination: 32% during pregnancy and 17% before pregnancy or after delivery. The survey also looked at why pregnant women chose not to get vaccinated. One very interesting finding of the survey was that women whose providers offered them a flu shot were five times more likely to get vaccinated than women who didn’t receive a provider offer. However, four out of 10 women in this survey did non receive a provider offer, though they visited a provider at least one time. These results indicate the uncharacteristically higher vaccination level achieved among pregnant women during the previous season (2009-2010) was sustained during the 2010-11 influenza season and emphasizes the critical role of health care providers in promoting influenza vaccination. The top two reasons that pregnant women gave for not getting vaccinated were: “I am concerned about possible safety risks to my baby if I got vaccinated” and “I am concerned that the vaccination would give me the flu.” Women who received a provider offer for influenza vaccination were more likely to have positive attitudes about vaccination effectiveness and safety. The study underscores that fact that continued efforts are needed to encourage providers to 1.) get vaccinated themselves and 2.) to not only strongly recommend vaccination of their pregnant patients but to offer influenza vaccine on site so both pregnant patients and their infants are protected.

• Physician Script on Influenza Immunization During Pregnancy

• Flu Shot for Pregnant Patients: Frequently Asked Questions

• CDC and the College recommend that all women, including pregnant women, be immunized for seasonal influenza. Pregnant women can be immunized during any trimester with the inactivated influenza vaccine. See the College’s new Committee Opinion on Influenza Vaccination During Pregnancy.

• The College and 11 other organizations issue a joint letter recommending influenza (flu) vaccination for pregnant women.

• Pregnant Women Need a Flu Shot!  A new video and web page answer common questions about pregnant women and the flu.  Additionally, hard copies of the DVD are available for ob-gyns who wish to ‘loop’ it in their offices on continuous play for patients.

• Read CDC guidelines and resources for pregnant women and the flu.

• What Pregnant Women Should Know About Flu  See answers to common questions and concerns about pregnant women being immunized for the flu.

Please see our Seasonal Influenza (flu) section for additional information.

Immunization of Pregnant/Breastfeeding Women for Patients

UPDATED! See the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)’s guidelines for vaccinating pregnant women.

Some vaccines are safe for pregnant women and may prevent serious illness for their unborn children. Vaccines to prevent the seasonal influenza (flu) virus and pertussis (whooping cough) are recommended for pregnant women because of the high risk those diseases pose to infants. The Tdap vaccine for pertussis also protects against tetanus and diphtheria. Other vaccines may be recommended in certain high-risk situations.

The flu vaccine is safe for pregnant women and their unborn children as well as breastfeeding mothers and can be given during any trimester. The flu vaccine has been given safely to millions of pregnant women over the past 45 years and is recommended by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the CDC. Vaccinating women against the flu can protect the mother and may help her baby by preventing the spread of the flu from mother to child after delivery. Pregnant women should get the inactivated vaccine. The nasal spray contains live virus and should not be given to pregnant women.

Read CDC guidelines and resources for pregnant women and the flu.

The Tdap vaccine is also safe for pregnant women and their unborn children as well as breastfeeding mothers. Pregnant women who have not previously gotten the vaccine should get the shot in their third trimester or after 20 weeks of pregnancy. If they miss the vaccine during pregnancy, it should be given before they leave the hospital or birthing center.

Read CDC guidelines and resources for pregnant women and pertussis.

For more information on vaccines you may need while pregnant or breastfeeding visit CDC’s Immunizations & Pregnancy chart. Talk to your health care provider about which vaccines you may need during pregnancy.