II. Prevention: Vaccinations
- See Prenatal Care
- Influenza Vaccine to all pregnant women (after first trimester)
- Hepatitis B Vaccine if non-immune and at risk of exposure
- Give Tdap at 27-36 weeks gestation in each pregnancy, regardless of interval (Pertussis protection)
-
RSV Vaccine
- Pfizer Bivalent RSVpreF Vaccine (Abrysvo) ONLY
- Do NOT use Arexvy in pregnant women (associated with Preterm Labor)
- Administer to unvaccinated mothers at 32 to 36 weeks, in September to January
- Allows for RSV passive Antibody protection in newborns and young infants
- Pfizer Bivalent RSVpreF Vaccine (Abrysvo) ONLY
-
Covid-19 Vaccine
- Administer during any trimester of each pregnancy (as soon as available for season)
-
Rh Immune Globulin (RhoGAM) 300 mcg for Rh Negative, non-sensitized women
- Given at 28 weeks
- Given within 72 hours of delivery of an Rh Positive infant
- Given at times of risk of fetal-maternal transfusion (e.g. Amniocentesis, Abdominal Trauma, Vaginal Bleed, Miscarriage)
- RhoGAM is not needed if undergoing abortion or pregnancy loss <12 weeks (per ACOG, 2024)
- However, RhoGAM is still recommended in Ectopic Pregnancy <12 weeks or when dates are uncertain
- (2024) Obstet Gynecol 144(6): e140-3 +PMID: 39255498
- RhoGAM is not needed if undergoing abortion or pregnancy loss <12 weeks (per ACOG, 2024)
- Other Vaccines if indicated
- Hepatitis A Vaccine
- Give if travel to endemic area or IVDA in pregnancy (or other risks)
- Hepatitis B Vaccine
- Administer in all pregnant patients if not previously immunized
- MenACWY Conjugate Vaccine (Meningococcal Vaccine)
- Standard indications (dormitory, barracks, travel)
- Hepatitis A Vaccine
III. Contraindications: Vaccines that are NOT recommended in pregnancy
-
Live Vaccines (e.g. MMR Vaccine, Varicella Vaccine, intranasal flu Vaccine)
- Theoretical risk to fetus
-
HPV Vaccine
- Has not been studied in pregnancy
- However, accidental human exposures have not been linked to birth defects or adverse pregnancy outcomes
-
Serotype B Meningococcal Vaccine
- Generally avoided in pregnancy, but may be given in pregnancy if benefit outweighs risk
- However, MenACWY Conjugate Vaccine may be used in pregnancy when indicated based on risk
- Recombinant Zoster Vaccine (Shingrix)
- Not recommended for use in pregnancy
IV. Class C: Small risk in controlled animal studies
-
Tdap (Tetanus Diptheria Acellular Pertussis Vaccine)
- Give Tdap at 27-36 weeks gestation in each pregnancy
- Allows time for maternal Pertussis antibodies to transfer to the newborn (passive Immunity)
- (2013) Ann Intern Med 158(3):191-9 [PubMed]
-
Hepatitis A Vaccine
- Give if travel to endemic area or IVDA in pregnancy (or other risks)
-
Hepatitis B Vaccine
- Administer in all pregnant patients if not previously immunized
-
Influenza Vaccine
- Indicated if pregnant in Influenza season
- Immunize after first trimester
-
MenACWY Conjugate Vaccine (Meningococcal Vaccine)
- Standard indications (dormitory, barracks, travel)
- Although MenACWYVaccine may be given, Serotype B Meningococcal Vaccine is generally avoided in pregnancy
- However Serotype B Meningococcal Vaccine may be given in pregnancy if benefit outweighs risk
- Plague Vaccine
-
Polyvalent Pneumococcal Vaccine
- ACIP recommends avoiding during pregnancy
- Vaccinate high risk women before pregnancy (and may consider during pregnancy if benefit outweighs risk)
- Chronic illness (Diabetes Mellitus, persistent Asthma, chronic heart disease, Chronic Kidney Disease)
- Immune disorders (HIV Infections, Asplenia)
-
Polio Vaccine (live and inactivated)
- Avoid during pregnancy in most cases
- Use IPV in pregnancy if high risk Polio exposure
- Rabies Vaccine
- Tularemia Vaccine
- Typhoid Vaccine
V. Class D: Strong evidence of risk to the human fetus
VI. Class X: Very high risk to the human fetus
- BCG vaccine (Bacille Calmette-Guerin Vaccine)
-
MMR Vaccine (MeaslesVaccine, Mumps Vaccine, RubellaVaccine)
- Give MMR dose immediately post-delivery if Rubella non-immune
- Small Pox Vaccine
- TC-83 Venezuelan Equine EncephalitisVaccine
-
Varicella Vaccine (Varivax)
- Risk if vaccinated within 4 weeks of conception
- Theoretic risk only; not an indication for EAB
VII. Resources
- CDC Guidelines for vaccinating pregnant women
VIII. References
- (2026) Presc Lett 33(8): 1-3
- Briggs (1998) Drugs in Pregnancy and Lactation, 5th ed
- Black (2003) Am Fam Physician 67(12):2517-24 [PubMed]
- Larimore (2000) Prim Care 27(1):35-53 [PubMed]
- Sur (2003) Am Fam Physician 68(2):299-304 [PubMed]