What are the benefits of the flu shot and COVID vaccines during pregnancy?
Immunizations or vaccines for flu and covid are recommended during pregnancy because pregnant people are more at risk for developing serious symptoms than others their ages. In pregnancy, the immune system is suppressed. Pregnant individuals are more likely to need hospitalization due to breathing problems or other complications. This can lead to preterm delivery and prematurity of your baby.
Fever and other complications from flu or COVID maycause negative side effects in the baby including neural tube defects or other conditions that may lead to admission to the nursery or intensive care. The flu and covid shots can prevent illness and infection in the baby even after it is born, as your antibodies are small enough to be passed on from the mother to child through placenta and breastmilk. Vaccine particles themselves are too big to pass.
Your doctor or midwife will also recommend the whooping cough vaccine in the third trimester for the same reason. The tetanus / whooping cough vaccine is recommended for everyone every 10 years. Getting this booster in pregnancy will help protect your baby for the first 2 months of life before they get their own set of immunizations at 2 months old.
Talk to your doctor about safe immunization during pregnancy and discuss all benefits and potential risks.