Vaccines and Pregnancy

Pertussis – Facts about Booster Immunization During Pregnancy

Pertussis (“whooping cough”), a once obscure disease, is a potentially lethal respiratory illness that is making a huge comeback. According to the L.A. Times (1/3/2011), in 2010, 10 infants were killed by pertussis and “more people were sickened than in any year since 1947.”

The age group hit the hardest by pertussis is children under 6 months of age, because they have not completed their infant series of vaccine shots and so they are more susceptible. This is why experts advise pregnant women, their spouses and other caretakers in the home to have a pertussis booster vaccine (called DTaP), to prevent exposure to the pertussis bacterium from the infant’s close contacts.

In the 1940’s, prior to the introduction of the vaccine, there were 250,000 cases per year of the illness in the U.S., and a significant number of infant deaths. In 1976, there were only 1,000 cases reported, but since 2003, that has increased to 10,000 cases annually. In California, only 700 people had pertussis in the year 2000 but in 2010 there were 7,800 cases reported!

The DTaP vaccine is safe and effective even during pregnancy. Pregnant women and their immediate family members are urged to have this booster immunity in order to prevent the transmission of deadly pertussis to their infants. The vaccine can be administered postpartum as well, and will take effect within a few weeks at most.

Influenza ("a flu shot")

Should a pregnant woman get a flu shot? In short, the answer is almost always yes!

Influenza is normally not a serious illness. Typically the flu is a 5-10 long illness with fevers, chills, muscle aches, weakness and upper respiratory symptoms. People feel pretty sick, but they get better, and rarely does the flu lead to anything very serious. But, the key word is rarely! Although normal healthy adults rarely develop serious complications from the flu, the same cannot be said for pregnant women.

Here is what the CDC says about Influenza and Pregnancy:

(reference: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/vaccine/pregnant.htm)

1. The Flu Shot is the Best Protection Against Flu

Getting a flu shot is the first and most important step in protecting against flu. The flu shot given during pregnancy has been shown to protect both the mother and her baby (up to 6 months old) from flu. (The nasal spray vaccine should not be given to women who are pregnant.)

2. The Flu Shot is Safe for Pregnant Women

Flu shots are a safe way to protect the mother and her unborn child from serious illness and complications of flu. The flu shot has been given to millions of pregnant women over many years. Flu shots have not been shown to cause harm to pregnant women or their babies. It is very important for pregnant women to get the flu shot.

3. Early Treatment is Important for Pregnant Women

If you get sick with flu-like symptoms call your doctor right away. If needed, the doctor will prescribe an antiviral medicine that treats the flu. Having a high fever caused by flu infection or other infections early in pregnancy can lead to birth defects in an unborn child. Pregnant women who get a fever should treat their fever with Tylenol® (or store brand equivalent) and contact their doctor as soon as possible.

4. When to Seek Emergency Medical Care (If you have any of these signs, call 911 right away):

Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
Sudden dizziness
Confusion
Severe or persistent vomiting
High fever that is not responding to Tylenol® (or store brand equivalent)
Decreased or no movement of your baby