Safe Vaccines for Pregnant Mothers
For both your baby’s and your health, there are some safe vaccines you’d better take:
- The flu shot - the flu shot is made from killed (inactivated) influenza virus, it is considered safe during any stage of pregnancy. However, pregnant women should not use the nasal-spray flu vaccine, which is made with live, weakened influenza virus.
- Tetanus/Diphtheria - tetanus toxoid and Td are safe to get during pregnancy. Women who have been fully immunized should have a Td booster if it has been more than 10 years since their last dose.
- Hepatitis B - if you happen to be a health-care worker or day-care worker, or live with someone infected with hepatitis B, you must consider getting vaccinated with this genetically engineered vaccine. It is used to protect the mother and baby against infection both before and after delivery.
If you’re pregnant or planning to get pregnant, consult with your doctor about these vaccines.
July 23rd, 2007 at 12:18 pm
I must pipe in here and say if you are pregnant and thinking about getting vaccinated, you MUST research each one of these vaccines and know WHY they would be necessary!!! I personally would never ever take a vaccine, especially while pregnant!!
Steph
July 24th, 2007 at 2:57 am
I agree with you in the research. And before doing so, you’d better check out all the immunizations you’ve received.
You should not receive live virus vaccines either. Even though they’re made from germs that are weakened with chemicals, they could still harm an unborn baby. Yet, vaccines made from dead viruses, such as a flu shot, are safe. Those made from toxoids, which are harmless, chemically altered proteins from a bacterium, are also safe, as are certain genetically engineered viruses.
However, if pregnancy prevents you from getting your shots, get them afterward to be well prepared for your next baby.