[Vaccination during pregnancy: safe or not?]

Willem van Eden1

  • 1Universiteit Utrecht, Hoofdafdeling Infectieziekten & Immunologie, Utrecht.

During pregnancy there is a fine balance within the mother's immune system. Her body has to protect itself and the unborn child against infection, but must not develop an immune response to the baby. Vaccination could adversely affect this balance, especially if adjuvants are added to the vaccine. On the other hand, vaccination during pregnancy can protect the neonate against infectious diseases through the transfer of maternal antibodies. On the basis of both new insights into the immunology of pregnancy and experience to date, the benefits of vaccination during pregnancy seem to offset the potential risks.

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