Because pregnancy is a period when the immune system is weakened, the sensitivity to infectious diseases increases. Vaccination of expectant mothers plays an important role in the immunity of the fetus in the womb and the newborn after birth against preventable infections. Thanks to vaccination, severe conditions such as miscarriage, developmental delay in the baby and mental retardation can also be prevented. Although ideally, vaccinations are completed before pregnancy, vaccinations are also carried out during pregnancy. Gynecology and Obstetrics Specialist Assoc. Dr. Şafak Yılmaz Baran stated that each vaccine has its own specific application schedule and said, “Except for live vaccines, all vaccines that can be administered during pregnancy can be administered at any week of pregnancy, including the first trimester of pregnancy. However, since the first 3 months of pregnancy cover the period of organ development, it is preferred to apply the vaccines after 3 months if possible. Noting that the vaccines that should be administered according to the standard vaccination schedule during pregnancy are administered in insufficient doses and for a period of time, their effectiveness will decrease. Dr. Şafak Yılmaz Baran said, “For example, in the tetanus vaccine, the vaccine dose must be completed at least 2 weeks before the birth. If sufficient time is not provided, the mother and baby with a single dose of tetanus vaccine are at risk for this disease.
WHICH VACCINE SHOULD BE DONE AND WHEN?
American Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG) routinely treats tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis for all pregnant women. recommends hepatitis B and influenza vaccines. These vaccines, which have a good safety profile in pregnancy, can provide passive protection to the newborn and do not cause abortion.
Gynecology and Obstetrics Specialist Assoc. Dr. Şafak Yılmaz Baran explains the vital importance of vaccinations during pregnancy as follows:
INFLUENZA
Influenza vaccine is another important vaccine recommended during pregnancy. Assoc. Dr. Şafak Yılmaz Baran said that influenza infection can be more severe during pregnancy than hepatitis B infection. Noting that it has a different feature, he says, “Influenza can cause an increase in lung and heart problems, hospitalization and miscarriage in the mother.” In addition, antibodies from the influenza vaccine during pregnancy protect the baby by crossing the placenta. In this way, influenza vaccine can provide protection for newborns younger than 6 months as well as mothers-to-be. recommends influenza vaccination to pregnant women after the 14th week of pregnancy, during the influenza season (in September-April).
COVID - 19 VACCINE
Covid In studies conducted during the 19 pandemic, it was observed that this infection was more severe in expectant mothers than in non-pregnant women. As a result of the studies; It has been determined that inactive Covid-19 vaccine applications are effective and safe for expectant mothers and newborns at every stage of pregnancy. For this reason, T.C. In line with the recommendation of the Ministry of Health and Obstetrics and Gynecology Associations, Covid-19 vaccine is recommended.
When Should It Be Done?
Covid-19 vaccine, There is no evidence that postponing until after the first 12 weeks is necessary. Therefore, the vaccine can be administered at any stage of pregnancy. One dose of Covid-19 vaccine provides good protection against the original alpha variant, but two doses are required to maintain good immunity with the delta variant of the virus. The second dose is administered 8 weeks after the first dose. A dose booster (third dose) is recommended to provide the best protection against the Omicron variant.
TETANUS – DIPHTHERIA VACCINE
Tetanus infection; It can develop as a result of cutting or dressing the umbilical cord of the baby (especially in home births) with an unhygienic tool such as a knife, in cases such as injuries, bites, traffic accidents and burns during pregnancy. Thanks to vaccination, the severity of tetanus infection that can occur during pregnancy decreases, and the risk of premature birth and stillbirth that may develop due to this decreases. In addition to these, neurological problems that may develop in the baby can also be prevented. Diphtheria disease also respiratory tract� A disease that can lead to fatal consequences. The diphtheria toxoid vaccine is administered together with the tetanus vaccine in the vaccination calendar since childhood. With the widespread vaccination program, it has started to be seen very rarely around the world. However, since lifelong immunity cannot be provided by vaccination in childhood, the application is repeated together with the tetanus vaccine in case of pregnancy. according to the calendar; The first dose of the vaccine is administered at the 4th month of pregnancy or, if not yet, at the first examination after the 4th month. The second dose is administered at least 4 weeks after the first dose, thus providing 1-3 years of protection. With this; 5 years after the third dose administered at least 6 months after the 2nd dose, and 10 years with the vaccine administered at least one year after the 3rd dose or in the next pregnancy. Again, according to the vaccination calendar; Protection is provided throughout the childbearing age with the vaccine administered at least one year after the 4th dose or in the next pregnancy. In women who have been vaccinated with five full doses before, if no additional dose has been given in the last 10 years, a single dose vaccination is sufficient, preferably between 20-36 weeks of pregnancy.
HEPATITIS B VACCINE
Hepatitis B vaccine can be given if the mother-to-be has no previous immunity. Hepatitis B infection during pregnancy is not expected to be more serious than in the normal population. However, there is a risk of transmission of infection to the newborn. Therefore, vaccination of expectant mothers who have not previously been immune to hepatitis B infection during pregnancy reduces the risk of transmission of hepatitis B virus, which can cause serious problems in the newborn.
When to Do?
< br /> Vaccine administered at 0, 1 and 6 months of pregnancy protects both the mother and the baby after birth. The pertussis vaccine is included in the childhood immunization schedule, but it does not provide lifelong immunity. Therefore, additional doses are recommended for high-risk patient group (healthcare workers, people living with immunocompromised people, living or working with young children).
When to Do?
After the 6th month of pregnancy, to protect the baby to be born, empty It is recommended to administer the maca vaccine. In this way, the baby can be provided with passive protection in the early stages. Pay attention to these vaccines during pregnancy!
- Not recommended during pregnancy: Live vaccines have a risk of infecting the fetus in the womb. Therefore, oral polio, measles-rubella-mumps, shingles, varicella and tuberculosis vaccines are not recommended during pregnancy as they are live vaccines. Another vaccine that is not recommended during pregnancy is the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccine. Due to the limited number of studies on the HPV vaccine, it is not recommended to be administered during pregnancy, although it has been shown in limited studies to be safe. Among the vaccines recommended to be administered according to various risk factors, necessity conditions and age factor. However, the safety of these vaccines for the fetus is not clear. For example, pneumococcal vaccine and hemaphyllus influenzae can be administered in high-risk individuals such as patients with chronic diseases and weakened immune systems. checking whether it is. If there is no immunity, pre-pregnancy vaccinations are completed. Because, if these diseases develop in expectant mothers who have not encountered these infections before or who do not have immunity, pregnancy and the baby to be born may be adversely affected.
Read: 0
