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Facts About Vaccines, Respiratory Illnesses

What vaccines are recommended before, during, and after pregnancy?

Pregnant women should get a flu shot and whooping cough vaccine (also called Tdap) during each pregnancy to help protect yourself and your baby. When you get the whooping cough vaccine during your pregnancy, your body will create protective antibodies and pass some of them to your baby before birth. These antibodies will provide your baby some short-term, early protection against whooping cough. 

The COVID-19 vaccine has also been added to the recommended list of vaccinations to receive during pregnancy.

Changes in your immune, heart, and lung functions during pregnancy make you more likely to get seriously ill from the flu. Catching the flu also increases your chances for serious problems for your developing baby, including premature labor and delivery.

Your ob-gyn or midwife may recommend you receive some vaccines right after giving birth. Postpartum vaccination will help protect you from getting sick and you will pass some antibodies to your baby through your breastmilk. Vaccination after pregnancy is especially important if you did not receive certain vaccines before or during your pregnancy. It is safe for you to receive vaccines right after giving birth, even while you are breastfeeding.

Some women may need other vaccines before, during, or after they become pregnant. Talk to your doctor to determine your risks and what vaccines are recommended. 

Sources:

American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists: Vaccines During Pregnancy

CDC: COVID-19 Vaccination for Women Who Are Pregnant or Breastfeeding

CDC: Pregnancy and Whooping Cough

CDC: Pregnant Women & Influenza (Flu)

 

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About I Vaccinate

I Vaccinate provides information and tools based on real medical science and research to help Michigan parents protect their kids. Support is provided by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and the Franny Strong Foundation.

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You’ve got questions. That’s a good thing.

As parents, determining how best to protect our children can be overwhelming and confusing. We’re here to help.

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Recommended Immunization Schedules

These schedules list the age or age range when each vaccine or series of shots is recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). If your child (birth through 6 years old) or adolescent (age 7 through 18 years old) has missed any shots, talk to your child’s doctor about getting back on track.

Michigan School & Childcare Immunization Requirements

Request your child’s immunization record

The Michigan Care Improvement Registry (MCIR), is an immunization registry managed by MDHHS and reported to by immunization providers. MCIR allows healthcare providers or individuals to access their immunization records regardless of their location in Michigan. This system also helps to track local and state immunization rates of Michigan residents to ensure immunity to vaccine-preventable illnesses. MCIR is a lifespan registry that includes infant through adult records.

For your appointment

Before, during, and after pregnancy protection
When you’re pregnant, you share everything with your baby. That means when you get vaccines, you aren’t just protecting yourself — you are giving your baby some early protection, too. The CDC has guidelines for the vaccines you and your baby need before, during, and after pregnancy.
From the CDC

Get prepared: Before, during, and after your child’s appointment
There are things you can do before, during and after your child’s appointment to make them easier and less stressful for both of you.
From the CDC

Mobile app from the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
The Vaccine Education Center at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia created a free mobile app called Vaccines on the Go: What You Should Know so you can access credible, science-based information from wherever and whenever you need it.

Find your local Michigan public health department or immunization clinic
See the directory of Michigan’s 45 local public health departments for more information on your child’s immunization record and where to get them vaccinated.

Other Vaccination Organizations & Advocates

Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
The Vaccine Education Center at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia provides complete, up-to-date and reliable information about vaccines to parents and healthcare professionals.

Families Fighting Flu
Families Fighting Flu is a nonprofit on a mission to save lives and reduce hospitalizations by protecting children, families, and communities against influenza.

Vaccinate Your Family
Vaccinate Your Family, formerly known as Every Child By Two, is a non-profit organization that advocates for vaccinations.

Shot by Shot
Stories of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases is a collection of stories from people who have been touched by vaccine-preventable diseases.

Voices for Vaccines
Voices for Vaccines is a parent-led organization that supports and advocates for on-time vaccination and the reduction of vaccine-preventable disease.

 

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