Dr. Sushruta Mokadam

Health and Me

Maternal Immunisation: The Forgotten Half of Protecting a Baby's Health

Vaccination during pregnancy protects more than just the mother. Vaccines such as Td, Tdap, and <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health/influenza">influenza</a> (when recommended) help pass protective antibodies to the baby, providing valuable immunity during the first six months of life.

When people think about vaccination, they usually think about babies receiving their first vaccines after birth. However, an important part of a child's protection actually begins during pregnancy. 

Maternal immunisation helps protect both the mother and her baby by allowing protective antibodies to pass through the placenta before birth. These antibodies provide the newborn with temporary immunity during the first few months of life, when the baby's immune system is still developing and routine childhood vaccines have not yet become fully effective.

Despite its importance, awareness about maternal immunisation remains low, with many women knowing only about the Td vaccine while being unaware of the benefits of Tdap and <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/flu-covid-rsv-shingles-vaccines-studies-link-all-4-to-better-heart-health-article-156364268" data-type="tilCustomLink">influenza</a> vaccination when recommended.

Maternal immunisation refers to vaccines that are recommended during pregnancy to protect the mother from certain infections while also passing protective antibodies to the unborn baby. 

During the third trimester, these antibodies cross the placenta and help protect the newborn from serious illnesses during the first six months of life. This protection is especially important because young infants are more vulnerable to infections and cannot receive all vaccines immediately after birth.

Also read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/parenting/childrens-mental-health-in-the-digital-age-can-governments-protect-them-without-restricting-internet-access-interview-article-156380264" data-type="tilCustomLink">Children’s Mental Health In The Digital Age: Can Governments Protect Them Without Restricting Internet Access? | Interview</a>

<h2>Important vaccines during pregnancy</h2>

Td (Tetanus and Diphtheria): The Td vaccine is routinely recommended during pregnancy. It protects the mother against tetanus and diphtheria while also helping protect the newborn from neonatal tetanus.

<a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/rfk-jr-backed-hep-b-researchers-face-police-raid-in-guinea-bissau-why-the-newborn-vaccine-trial-is-controversial-article-156378716" data-type="tilCustomLink">Tdap</a> (Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis): In many situations, doctors may recommend the Tdap vaccine during pregnancy. It also protects against pertussis (whooping cough), a highly contagious infection that can be life-threatening for young babies. Vaccination during pregnancy allows antibodies to reach the baby before birth, reducing the risk of severe illness in early infancy.

Influenza (Flu) Vaccine: Pregnant women are at a higher risk of developing complications from influenza. When recommended by the treating doctor, the influenza vaccine helps protect both the mother and the baby during flu season.

A newborn's immune system is still immature, making babies more susceptible to infections. The antibodies received from the mother act as the baby's first shield against disease until the infant starts receiving routine childhood vaccines and develops their own immunity. This early protection can reduce the risk of severe infections during one of the most vulnerable stages of life.

Also read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/parenting/the-silent-struggle-of-raising-a-child-with-mental-health-challenges-how-parents-can-cope-with-stigma-article-156348126" data-type="tilCustomLink">The Silent Struggle Of Raising A Child With Mental Health Challenges: How Parents Can Cope With Stigma</a>

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• Discuss maternal vaccination during your first antenatal visit.

• Receive the Td vaccine according to your doctor's advice.

• Ask your obstetrician whether Tdap is recommended during your pregnancy.

• Take the influenza vaccine if advised by your doctor.

• Attend all scheduled antenatal check-ups.

• Maintain a healthy diet, adequate sleep, and good hydration during pregnancy.

• Encourage family members and caregivers to stay up to date with their vaccinations to help protect the newborn.

• Ensure your baby receives all routine childhood vaccines on time after birth.

By discussing vaccination early in pregnancy and following medical advice, expectant mothers can provide their newborn with valuable protection during the first six months of life, giving them a healthier and safer start.

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Maternal Immunisation

Vaccination during pregnancy

tdap

influenza

diphtheria

tetanus

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Vaccination during pregnancy protects more than just the mother. Vaccines such as Td, Tdap, and influenza (when recommended) help pass protective antibodies to the baby, providing valuable immunity during the first six months of life.When people think about vaccination, they usually think about babies receiving their first vaccines after birth. However, an important part of a child's protection actually begins during pregnancy. Maternal immunisation helps protect both the mother and her baby by allowing protective antibodies to pass through the placenta before birth. These antibodies provide the newborn with temporary immunity during the first few months of life, when the baby's immune system is still developing and routine childhood vaccines have not yet become fully effective. Despite its importance, awareness about maternal immunisation remains low, with many women knowing only about the Td vaccine while being unaware of the benefits of Tdap and influenza vaccination when recommended.What is maternal immunisation?Maternal immunisation refers to vaccines that are recommended during pregnancy to protect the mother from certain infections while also passing protective antibodies to the unborn baby. During the third trimester, these antibodies cross the placenta and help protect the newborn from serious illnesses during the first six months of life. This protection is especially important because young infants are more vulnerable to infections and cannot receive all vaccines immediately after birth.Also read: Children’s Mental Health In The Digital Age: Can Governments Protect Them Without Restricting Internet Access? | InterviewImportant vaccines during pregnancyTd (Tetanus and Diphtheria): The Td vaccine is routinely recommended during pregnancy. It protects the mother against tetanus and diphtheria while also helping protect the newborn from neonatal tetanus.Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis): In many situations, doctors may recommend the Tdap vaccine during pregnancy. It also protects against pertussis (whooping cough), a highly contagious infection that can be life-threatening for young babies. Vaccination during pregnancy allows antibodies to reach the baby before birth, reducing the risk of severe illness in early infancy.Influenza (Flu) Vaccine: Pregnant women are at a higher risk of developing complications from influenza. When recommended by the treating doctor, the influenza vaccine helps protect both the mother and the baby during flu season.Why it matters for the newbornA newborn's immune system is still immature, making babies more susceptible to infections. The antibodies received from the mother act as the baby's first shield against disease until the infant starts receiving routine childhood vaccines and develops their own immunity. This early protection can reduce the risk of severe infections during one of the most vulnerable stages of life.Also read: The Silent Struggle Of Raising A Child With Mental Health Challenges: How Parents Can Cope With StigmaTips for expectant mothers         • Discuss maternal vaccination during your first antenatal visit.• Receive the Td vaccine according to your doctor's advice.• Ask your obstetrician whether Tdap is recommended during your pregnancy.• Take the influenza vaccine if advised by your doctor.• Attend all scheduled antenatal check-ups.• Maintain a healthy diet, adequate sleep, and good hydration during pregnancy.• Encourage family members and caregivers to stay up to date with their vaccinations to help protect the newborn.• Ensure your baby receives all routine childhood vaccines on time after birth.By discussing vaccination early in pregnancy and following medical advice, expectant mothers can provide their newborn with valuable protection during the first six months of life, giving them a healthier and safer start.

maternal immunisation: the forgotten half of protecting a baby's health

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