Vaccination of Pregnant

Why and When to Get Vaccinated During Pregnancy

Pregnancy is an important period in a woman's life and for her future child. Vaccination during this time helps preserve health, and sometimes even life, making it very important for both the mother and the baby.

1. Whooping Cough Vaccination for You and Your Baby

Whooping cough is a very severe and dangerous infection for infants. For babies under 2 months old, when they are not yet able to receive their vaccinations, the risk of serious complications and even death increases significantly. Vaccinating the mother between 16 and 32 weeks of pregnancy (but it is also possible at any other time agreed upon with the doctor) allows the body to produce antibodies, which are transferred to the baby through the placenta. This provides the baby with immunity to whooping cough for the first months of life. This is considered one of the important stages of protection, as vaccination of the baby against this disease starts only at 2 months. The whooping cough vaccination during pregnancy is safe for you and your child; it carries no risks for the fetus and can be administered at any term upon agreement with a doctor.

2. Checking Immunity Before Conception

If you are planning a pregnancy, it is important to ensure that you have immunity to the main infections: measles, rubella, and chickenpox. This is done by testing for antibody levels.

If immunity is present, pregnancy can be planned without additional risks.

If there is no immunity, it is necessary to get the appropriate vaccinations with Priorix or M-M-RVAXPRO (for measles, rubella, and mumps) and Varilrix/Varivax (for chickenpox). It is important to know that after vaccination, you must wait at least 1 month before becoming pregnant. This is because vaccines with live strains can temporarily increase the risk of complications or affect fetal development, so plan vaccinations in advance and inform your doctor of your plans.

3. Mandatory Protection Against Influenza During Pregnancy

Flu in pregnant women is not just a runny nose and a rise in temperature. It can lead to severe complications, especially pneumonia, which can threaten the life of both the mother and the baby, or result in prolonged treatment and recovery. Pregnant women are at risk of developing severe forms of flu due to reduced immunity and physiological changes.

Flu vaccination is the most reliable way to protect yourself and your baby. It is optimal to get vaccinated before the start of the epidemic season, especially if the pregnancy falls in the fall or winter. The vaccine can be safely administered at any trimester of pregnancy—it does not harm the baby's development and significantly reduces the risk of severe complications for you. Vaccination not only protects you but also lowers the risk of illness in the newborn during the first months of life when they have not yet received the flu vaccine.