Immunizations & Vaccine for Preventable Illnesses

What pregnant and breastfeeding parents need to know

Disclaimer: This page houses important information and resources pertaining to immunizations and vaccine-preventable illnesses during pregnancy and while breastfeeding, including links to our evidence-based Fact Sheets. However, the resources here should not replace the care and advice of a medical professional.

Vaccines help protect us from diseases by helping our immune systems make antibodies against certain bacteria or viruses. Once these antibodies are made, our bodies have an easier job of (1) preventing us from getting sick when we are exposed to these bacteria or viruses in the future; and (2) reducing the severity of illness if we do get sick.

Yes, vaccines are safe for both of you. In fact, vaccination is one of the most important things that you can do to protect your health and your baby’s health. Keep in mind that vaccines have been safely given to millions of pregnant women for more than 50 years.

– American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists

When you’re pregnant, your immune system is not as strong as it normally is. That’s why many illnesses that are caused by bacteria or viruses can be more severe during pregnancy than when you aren’t pregnant. Some of these illnesses can increase the chance of pregnancy complications, especially if you get very sick. Getting the recommended vaccines before and during pregnancy is the best way to help protect not only yourself but also your pregnancy from complications caused by certain infections. In addition, some of the vaccines that are given during pregnancy can help your body share protective antibodies with the developing baby. These antibodies can continue to protect the infant against these infections during early life until they can get their own vaccines.

Some women have concerns about getting vaccines while pregnant, so we’ll quickly lay out the facts about vaccine safety during pregnancy based on scientific studies:

• Vaccines do not make it harder to get pregnant.
• While miscarriage can happen in any pregnancy for many different reasons, studies strongly show that getting a vaccine does not increase the chance of miscarriage.
• Vaccines do not increase the chance of birth defects.
• Vaccines do not cause pregnancy complications.
• Getting vaccines during pregnancy does not cause behavioral or learning issues for the baby as they grow and develop.

What about vaccines while breastfeeding? Almost all vaccines can be given during breastfeeding. Two vaccines you should not get if you are breastfeeding are the smallpox vaccine and the yellow fever vaccine. Otherwise, research has shown that vaccines given to people who are breastfeeding are not harmful for the lactating women or her breastfed infants.

Talk with your healthcare provider about which vaccines are recommended for you during pregnancy and while breastfeeding and about any questions or concerns you may have.

Join Our Tdap Vaccine Study

Have you got (or are you planning to get) the Tdap vaccine during pregnancy? Join our study to share real-world insights on the BOOSTRIX Tdap vaccine Please note that we will not ask you to receive the Tdap vaccine as part of the study; we are solely interested in gathering data from those who have already chosen to receive the Tdap vaccine during the third trimester of pregnancy.

Please see our library of immunization and vaccine for preventable illness information resources below on exposures and vaccines during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

External Resources

• American Academy of Pediatrics: Vaccines During Pregnancy: Keeping You & Your Baby Healthy
• American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists: Vaccines During Pregnancy
• American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists: Vaccine Safety During Pregnancy
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Pregnancy and Vaccination
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Vaccination Safety for Breastfeeding Mothers
• March of Dimes: Vaccinations and Pregnancy
• Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine: Vaccination Guide for Pregnancy
• U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: Vaccines for Pregnancy People

Partners

• American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology
• Patient Education Genius
• Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine
• Society for Birth Defects Research & Prevention