[Travel during pregnancy and possibilities of vaccination]

Pregnancy presents special medical problem where we need to take into account travel risks regarding pregnant women and the health limits as a consequence of pregnancy. It is also important to consider the fact that active prevention and treatment approaches are to a large degree limited by the pregnancy. The most optimal period for travelling is the second trimester. In most cases, the potential risk of administering the vaccine is theoretical and not based on clinical evidence. Pregnancy presents a special problem regarding many aspects of immunization: benefit of vaccination, potential disease risk to the mother and fetus and safety of vaccine to mother and fetus itself. In general, pregnant patients should avoid live vaccines. Vaccination with inactivated, conjugated, polysacahecride vaccines and toxoids is possible. The first trimester of pregnancy is the most vulnerable period because of theoretical risk of harmful effects to the fetus.