Question: How is baby protected and what really happens when mum gets vaccinated during pregnancy?
Philanthropist Melinda Gates famously said: “You can have the best vaccines for a woman or her child, but if you can’t get her to come and get them, then they won’t work.”1 This is true. It is what we, as doctors, tell pregnant mothers who are our patients all the time.
Unfortunately, despite all the statistical research on the importance of maternal immunisation, many expecting mothers still miss out on this critical opportunity. It is perfectly understandable that mums are cautious about injections taken during pregnancy. My patients start off feeling that way too but upon vaccination, they are happy and relieved that they have taken a positive step toward protecting their little ones from harmful vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs) such as pertussis (whooping cough), tetanus and diphtheria.
When a mum gets vaccinated whilst she’s expecting, she is giving her unborn baby the gift of early protection.2
When a mum gets vaccinated whilst she’s expecting, she is giving her unborn baby the gift of early protection.2 Vaccinations you get during pregnancy will keep your newborn baby safe from infection during the first two months of life before your child can get his or her own vaccinations. It is a powerful way to keep your baby healthy at birth when your newborn’s immune system is immature.3
Here is a description of what happens when a pregnant mum gets vaccinated.
Upon receiving her immunisation jab, the development of maternal antibodies is stimulated and mum creates antibodies over the next few weeks, which then pass through her placenta to her fetus, thereby protecting them both from the disease.4,5 Evidence shows that the antibodies your body makes, in response to the vaccine, are transferred to your unborn baby and stay with your child to provide protection against the disease for several months after birth.3 Tdap (tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis) vaccination is recommended in pregnancy by health authorities in the United States, Australia and Singapore.6,7,8
Evidence shows that the antibodies your body makes, in response to the vaccine, are transferred to your unborn baby and stay with your child to provide protection against the disease for several months after birth.3
Always ask your doctor (O&G) for advice. There is clear evidence of the benefit of maternal immunisation such as the Tdap vaccine that is well-studied and proven to be safe and effective in pregnant women and their unborn babies. With the pandemic still going on, it is now more important than ever for you as a pregnant mum to be accurately-informed on your vaccinations. There are no scheduling problems expected with the COVID-19 vaccine as the single-dose Tdap vaccine can be safely administered even around the time you receive the COVID-19 vaccine.9,10
In collaboration with:
Protect Me, To Protect My Baby is a public education campaign by obstetricians and gynaecologists that highlights the importance of Maternal Immunization (MI) in protecting unborn/ newborn infants from life-threatening vaccine preventable diseases (VPDs) such as pertussis (whooping cough).
MAT-MY-2101238-9/21
References
1. https://www.theguardian.com/theguardian/2010/sep/17/melinda-gates-microsoft-foundation-charity
2. Zimmermann P, Perrett KP, Messina NL, et al. The effect of maternal immunization during pregnancy on infant vaccine responses. EClinicalMedicine 2019;13:21-30.
Baxter R, Bartlett J, Fireman B, et al. Effectiveness of Vaccination During Pregnancy to Prevent Infant Pertussis. Pediatrics 2017;139(5) e20164091
4. Sawyer M, Liang JL, Messonnier N, Clark TA. Updated recommendations for use of tetanus toxoid, reduced diphtheria toxoid, and acellular pertussis vaccine (Tdap) in pregnant women—Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), 2012. MMWR. 2013; 62(7):131-5
5. Kilgore PE, Salim AM, Zervos MJ, Schmitt HJ. Pertussis: microbiology, disease, treatment, and prevention. Clin Microbiol Rev. 2016;29:449—86.
6. https://www.acog.org/clinical/clinical-guidance/committee-opinion/articles/2018/06/maternal-immunization
7. https://immunisationhandbook.health.gov.au/vaccination-for-special-risk-groups
8. https://cfps.org.sg/assets/CPG/SIDS-Adult-Vaccine-Handbook-2020.pdf
9. https://www.acog.org/clinical/clinical-guidance/practice-advisory/articles/2020/12/covid-19-vaccination-considerations-for-obstetric-gynecologic-care
10. https://www.vaksincovid.gov.my/upload/media/Guidelines_on_COVID-19_Vaccination_in_Pregnancy_and_Breastfeeding_Version_2_-_MOH.pdf
ABOUT:
Dr Voon Hian Yan is an obstetrician and gynaecologist (O&G) with a keen interest in public health and preventive obstetrics. Dr Voon co-authored the Ministry of Health’s Covid-19 Vaccination in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Guideline and is currently the national representative in the Ultrasound Subcommittee of the Asia & Oceania Federation of Obstetrics & Gynaecology (AOFOG).
