Vaccines during pregnancy: Are they safe?

I'm six weeks pregnant and want to be sure I'm up to date on my vaccinations. Are any vaccines recommended during pregnancy? Are there certain vaccines that aren't safe?

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Answer

Some vaccines are safe during pregnancy, while others are not. Generally, vaccines that contain only killed viruses are considered safe. Vaccines that contain live viruses are not recommended for pregnant women.

The only vaccine routinely recommended during pregnancy is an influenza shot for women who are pregnant during flu season — typically November through March. The flu shot is made from a killed virus, so it's safe for both you and your baby. However, be sure to request the shot and not the nasal spray vaccine, which is made from a live virus.

Your doctor may recommend a tetanus and diphtheria (Td) booster shot if you haven't had one in 10 or more years or if you have a deep cut during your pregnancy. Another form of the tetanus and diphtheria vaccine — called the Tdap — also offers protection from pertussis (whooping cough). Although the Tdap vaccine generally isn't given during pregnancy, it may be warranted in special situations.

If you're at increased risk of certain infections, your doctor may recommend other vaccines — such as hepatitis B, meningococcal or pneumococcal vaccines.

Similarly, it's important to avoid certain vaccines during pregnancy. Generally, vaccines for the following conditions are not recommended during pregnancy:

• Anthrax
• Chickenpox (varicella)
• Hepatitis A
• Human papillomavirus (HPV)
• Japanese encephalitis
• Measles
• Mumps
• Polio
• Rubella (German measles)
• Smallpox (vaccinia)
• Typhoid
• Yellow fever

Consult your doctor to determine which vaccines you might need during — or after — pregnancy.

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