Vaccination for Pregnant Women in the New Normal

If you are pregnant, it’s important to note that you can be vaccinated and that this will help protect you from severe illness. 

Although the overall risk of severe illness is low, pregnant and postpartum people are at an increased risk compared to non-pregnant people. Additionally, infected pregnant people are at increased risk of preterm births and might be at an increased risk of other adverse pregnancy symptoms compared with pregnant women that are not infected.

It should be stressed however that there is limited data available about the safety of the new vaccines for people who are pregnant. Preliminary data, however, did not identify any safety concerns for pregnant people (and their babies) who were vaccinated. Close follow-up and monitoring on all people vaccinated during all trimesters of pregnancy is still recommended to fully understand effects on pregnancy. 

To help guide you on vaccines, here are the types you can avail:

Inactivated Vaccines contain the illness whose genetic material has been destroyed by heat, chemicals or radiation so they cannot infect cells and replicate but can still trigger an immune response. 

The mRNA vaccines do not contain the live illness and, contrary to what others might believe, do not interact with a person’s DNA or cause genetic changes as it does not enter the nucleus of the cell where our DNA is kept. 

The Viral Vector Vaccines do not contain antigens but rather use the body’s own cells to produce them. A modified version (the vector) is used to deliver the genetic code for the antigen into human cells. By infecting cells and instructing them to make large amounts of antigen, which then trigger an immune response, the vaccine mimics what happens during natural infection with certain pathogens.

Here are additional reminders for expectant moms:

●    A pregnancy test is not a requirement prior to vaccination in the new normal. 

●    The vaccine should not be administered within 14 days of receipt of another type of vaccine, such as Tdap and influenza. The same rule should be followed for pregnant individuals.

●    If a pregnant or breastfeeding woman is in the Priority Eligible Population Group, the vaccine should not be withheld from her. 

Lastly, always remember that getting vaccinated is a choice. 
 

Reference

1. US CDC: Vaccination Considerations for People who are Pregnant or Breastfeeding, January 7, 2021
2. ACOG Vaccinating Pregnant and Lactating Patients. Practice Advisory December 21, 2020
3. POGS PRACTICE BULLETIN NO.1
Vaccination of Pregnant and Breastfeeding Women January 26, 2021 
 

About The Expert

DR. CHRISTIA PADOLINA, OB-GYN

Dr. Christia S. Padolina is the president of the Philippine Obstetrics and Gynecological Society (POGS) Foundation Inc. It is the premiere organization of obstetricians and gynecologists nationwide.

It was a dream come true for her to become a physician. Her mother was sickly and she had so much expectations on the healthcare system being on the other side of the equation. She is a graduate of the University of the East Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Medical Center. It was there that she realized that she wanted to become an obstetrician Gynecologist. She does not mind waking up in the wee hours of the morning as she finds delivering babies exhilarating. 

Her subspecialty in Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology in the University of New Mexico in USA paved the way for better maternal care. She is locally and internationally known advocate for safe motherhood.

The views and opinions expressed by the writer are his/her own, and does not state or reflect those of Wyeth Nutrition and its principals.