Vaccination in pregnancy - The when, what and how?

Area of Science:

• Obstetrics and Gynecology
• Immunology
• Preventive Medicine

Background:

• Maternal IgG antibodies actively cross the placenta, conferring passive immunity to the fetus.
• Infant immune responses to vaccines are often suboptimal in the first few months of life.
• Pregnancy vaccination offers indirect protection to infants during this vulnerable period.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the role and safety of vaccines administered during pregnancy.
• To highlight the benefits of maternal immunization for infant protection.
• To provide guidance on vaccine use in pregnant individuals.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on maternal vaccination and passive antibody transfer.
• Analysis of vaccine safety data in pregnant populations.
• Compilation of information on vaccine-preventable infections during pregnancy.

Main Results:

• Vaccination during pregnancy boosts maternal antibody levels, enhancing passive transfer to the fetus.
• Inactivated vaccines and toxoids have shown no evidence of adverse fetal effects.
• Live attenuated vaccines are generally contraindicated in pregnancy.

Conclusions:

• Maternal immunization is a vital strategy for protecting infants from infectious diseases.
• Vaccination in pregnancy reduces maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality from preventable infections.
• This review serves as a guide for healthcare providers on vaccine use during pregnancy.