Why Vaccination During Pregnancy Matters
Pregnancy brings changes to your immune system, making both you and your baby more vulnerable to infections that can lead to serious complications. Vaccinations not only reduce the risk of infection for you but also allow protective antibodies to pass through the placenta, giving your newborn vital protection during their first few weeks/months of life when their own immune system is still developing.
For those interested in a deeper understanding, Professor Savvidou has written a scientific paper on vaccination in pregnancy, published in the British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, providing an expert review of safety and efficacy considerations for expectant mothers.
Flu Vaccine: Protection Against Seasonal Illness
The flu vaccine is recommended for pregnant women because the flu can lead to severe complications, particularly in later pregnancy stages. Pregnant women are at a higher risk of hospitalisation if they contract the flu, which can lead to severe chest infections and, in some cases, premature labour. The flu vaccine is recommended at any stage of pregnancy and helps protect you and your baby, which is especially valuable during the winter months when flu cases peak.
Key Benefits:
- Reduces your risk of severe illness from flu.
- Some protection is passed on to the baby.
- Recommended to receive at any point during pregnancy.
Whooping Cough (Pertussis) Vaccine: Essential for Newborn Safety
Whooping cough is a highly contagious respiratory infection that can be especially dangerous for young babies, often resulting in serious breathing difficulties. Babies can't receive their first whooping cough vaccine until they're around two months old, so the best way to protect them early on is for you to receive the vaccine during pregnancy. The whooping cough vaccine, recommended between 16 and 32 weeks of pregnancy, enables you to pass on protective antibodies, greatly reducing the risk of your baby contracting the infection in their first few vulnerable months.
Key Benefits:
- Significantly reduces the risk of severe whooping cough in infants.
- Provides early immunity before your baby can receive their own vaccinations.
- Recommended at each pregnancy.
RSV Vaccine: New Protection for 2024
The RSV vaccine is a groundbreaking addition to maternal vaccinations, newly introduced in the UK in 2024. RSV is a common virus that can cause serious chest infections in infants, including bronchiolitis and pneumonia. While RSV often only causes mild cold-like symptoms, it can lead to severe life-threatening breathing complications in infants, particularly in premature babies and those with underlying health conditions. The RSV vaccine can now be offered to pregnant women from 28 weeks onwards to boost maternal antibodies, which in turn provide critical protection for newborns.
Studies show that the RSV vaccine can reduce the risk of severe infection in infants by around 70% in their first six months of life, helping to protect them during the high-risk winter season when RSV infections spike.
Key Benefits:
- Helps prevent severe RSV infections in newborns.
- Reduces hospital admissions.
- Offers 70% protection against severe chest infections in babies.
A Protective Step for Both Mother & Baby
Vaccinations during pregnancy are a proactive measure to ensure the health and safety of both you and your baby. By getting vaccinated, you're not only protecting yourself against potential complications but also providing your newborn with early immunity against some of the most common and potentially severe infections.
As always, a consultation with an expert fetal and maternal medicine healthcare provider will allow you to discuss any questions you may have and ensure you're receiving the best possible care throughout your pregnancy.
Read More: Expert Tips for a Healthy Pregnancy Lifestyle
Professor Savvidou's private practice, Obstetric Care, is based at London's renowned Chelsea & Westminster Hospital, where she delivers care in the state-of-the-art Kensington Wing. For those seeking expert guidance, Professor Savvidou is available to provide specialised, comprehensive support throughout your pregnancy journey.