FIGO Statement: Vaccination in pregnancy

Anwar H Nassar1, Gerard H A Visser2, Wanda Kay Nicholson3

  • 1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon.

Pregnant women and their fetuses are among the vulnerable populations that can be severely affected by communicable diseases. As such, some vaccines such as the influenza and the Tdap (tetanus toxoid, reduced diphtheria toxoid, and acellular pertussis) vaccines are strongly recommended in each pregnancy, with generally safe profiles. Other vaccines can be offered based on risk factors, and only when the benefits of receiving them outweigh the risks. Development of vaccines against group B streptococcus infection and respiratory syncytial virus infection are of great importance. In this paper, the recommendations for administration of each vaccine during pregnancy are discussed. The FIGO Committee for Safe Motherhood and Newborn Health Committee endorses the recommendations to vaccinate all pregnant women against influenza during the influenza season at any time during the pregnancy and against Tdap preferably between the 27th and 36th weeks of pregnancy in each pregnancy.

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