Getting vaccinated is an important part of our health. It boosts our immunity and keeps our bodies ready to fight against certain diseases. While you’re pregnant your healthcare provider will recommend you to take certain vaccines. You need to be aware of what vaccine is given to you, what is the purpose behind it, when you should be taking it, and also you should know what vaccines you shouldn’t be taking during pregnancy. Have a look below to know these.

Why is vaccination important during pregnancy?
         When you get vaccinated during pregnancy, it not only gives immunity to you it protects the baby as well. The baby is too young to get vaccinated against certain diseases after birth. So if the mother is vaccinated during pregnancy it protects the baby even after birth until he/she becomes old enough to receive those vaccines again.

Td Vaccine
         Initially, it was known as the TT (Tetanus toxoid) vaccine which gives protection against tetanus. Now it is replaced by Td (Tetanus and diphtheria toxoids) vaccine which gives protection against both tetanus and diphtheria infection. Two doses of the Td vaccine are given during pregnancy. The first dose can be given anytime after detecting the pregnancy and the second one is given four weeks after the first dose.

Tdap Vaccine
         Tdap vaccine protects you and the baby against three infectious diseases: diphtheria, pertussis (commonly known as whooping cough), and tetanus. It can be taken anywhere between 27 to 36 weeks during pregnancy. Getting this vaccine protects the baby against whooping cough till two months post-birth. One dose of Tdap is sufficient during pregnancy. And once you take the Td vaccine in pregnancy, there is no particular interval period required to get the Tdap vaccine.

Flu Vaccine
         The flu vaccine can be given either in the second or third trimester of the pregnancy, preferably the third trimester. It is commonly known as the “Vaxigrip”. It protects both the mother and the baby against influenza. 40 percent of women post-delivery get hospitalized due to influenza infection. Therefore it is very important to receive this vaccine. In case you miss this during pregnancy, you can take this even after delivery, but the vaccine will not be effective for the baby. The flu vaccine is safe to be taken while breastfeeding.

What vaccines are safe and unsafe during pregnancy?
         Vaccines come in three forms: one which contains live viruses, one with dead viruses, and the other form is toxoids. During pregnancy, you shouldn’t get a vaccine that contains live viruses. Example MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine. So you must get MMR while planning to conceive since getting infected with any of those three during pregnancy causes an increased risk of miscarriage and stillbirth. In case you miss taking MMR before or after pregnancy, you can take it post-delivery. Along with the flu vaccine, Td, and Tdap during pregnancy, you can also get Hepatitis A and B vaccines. If you have diabetes or any kidney disease, it is recommended you take the pneumococcal vaccine during pregnancy, but researches are still going on to confirm its complete safety. The covid vaccine is also safe to be taken during pregnancy.