Immunization and Vaccination for Pregnant Women in India

Immunization and Vaccination for Pregnant Women in India

Pregnancy is a life-altering experience that is expected to bring along immense excitement and joy to the couple. As a time of transition, mothers can often find themselves worrying about their unborn baby’s health. There is nothing more an expecting mother would want than the birth of a happy, healthy baby.

In order to ensure you’re your as well as your child’s health, it is important to rely on vaccinations to keep preventable diseases at bay. Vaccinated mothers can help in passing antibodies to their offspring, providing a necessary shield against dangerous illnesses.

These antibodies are known to provide the body with immunity, which is much needed in the first few months, especially because your baby will be too young. In addition, the vaccines also provide your body with the protection that’s necessary for you through the pregnancy.

If you want to keep yourself and your unborn baby safe, it would be best to talk to your gynaecologist about the different vaccinations available before, during, and after pregnancy.

Essential Vaccinations for Pregnant Women

Under the Expanded Programme of Immunization (EPI), all pregnant women receive the Tetanus Toxoid (TT) and Diphtheria Toxoids (Td). However, private hospitals in the country can offer various useful vaccines to pregnant women. Some of them include –

Hepatitis B – An expecting mother can pass a hepatitis B infection to the baby during birth. If your child gets infected, it can lead to serious health problems. As a result, mothers seek vaccination before pregnancy to protect their children.

Rubella – During pregnancy, rubella can result in serious birth defects, often leading to lifelong illness or death before birth. It is crucial for women to get vaccinated against rubella and wait at least a month before trying to get pregnant.

Flu Shot – It is important to get the influenza vaccine because pregnant women are at an increased risk of developing flu-related complications. The flue can lead to problems, such as early labour and delivery, affecting the baby’s health.

Additionally, it also protects the mother and unborn baby from getting flu for at least a couple of months, lowering the risk of complications related to pneumonia. The shot can be administered during any trimester of pregnancy.

Whooping Cough – when mothers get vaccinated against whooping cough, it protects the offspring against the disease until they can get vaccinated themselves. Babies who acquire the infection often end up in hospitals, sometimes due to life-threatening consequences.

Expecting mothers can be vaccinated at any time, but it is best to receive the vaccination as early as possible. The whooping cough vaccine should also be administered to other individuals who spend a significant amount of time with babies.

Keeping the mother and baby safe is of utmost importance, and vaccinations play a significant role in ensuring that. Because of this reason, it is paramount for pregnant women to receive the Pneumococcal Conjugate vaccine (once) and Influenza vaccine (yearly) to safeguard their child’s health.

If you have missed your scheduled vaccine, you should contact your doctor to find out about the catch-up period to get the vaccination as soon as possible.

Blooms Hospitals – Stay Up to Date with Your Pregnancy Vaccinations

At Blooms Hospitals, get all necessary vaccinations that will keep you and your baby safe during pregnancy. Book an appointment with our doctors to ensure that your transformative journey as a mother is a positive one.