Immunization during pregnancy

In many countries, including the US,[2] Canada,[3] UK,[4] Australia[5][6] and New Zealand,[7] vaccination against influenza, COVID-19 and whooping cough is routinely offered during pregnancy.

Other vaccines may be offered during pregnancy where travel-related or occupational exposure to disease-causing organisms warrant this.

[9] Subsequent trials showed that vaccination of pregnant women reduces infant deaths from tetanus by 94%.

[10][11] In 1988, the World Health Assembly passed a resolution to use maternal vaccination to eliminate neonatal tetanus by the year 2000.

In the 2009 pandemic, even with medical advances, pregnant women accounted for a disproportionately high percentage of deaths.

[18] Following the 2009 pandemic, both Australia and the UK added influenza vaccination to the recommended schedule for pregnant women.

[21] COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy is safe and associated with improved levels of risk for stillbirth, premature birth and admission of the newborn to intensive care.

Rather, vaccination is offered to children to reduce the prevalence of rubella virus in circulation and/or to adolescent girls, to boost their immunity before they are likely to conceive.