BookmarkBookmarkTickBookmarkAddCheckBoxFilledCheckBoxCircleBumpCheckedFilledMedical

Most Pregnant Women Aren't Getting Two Critical Vaccines, CDC Warns

Experts say the flu and Tdap vaccines are key during pregnancy, but only 35 percent of moms-to-be are actually getting them.
save article
profile picture of Nehal Aggarwal
By Nehal Aggarwal, Editor
Published October 9, 2019
pregnant woman talking to her doctor
Image: Getty Images

Most every expectant mom’s priority is to keep herself and her baby as healthy as possible, but according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), only 1 in 3 moms-to-be are actually getting two vaccines that experts say are critical during pregnancy.

Doctors recommend that pregnant women receive the flu shot and the Tdap vaccine, which protects against pertussis, a contagious respiratory illness more commonly known as whooping cough. The report found that while 55 percent of pregnant women get their Tdap vaccine and 54 percent get their flu shot, just 35 percent get both.

Why are those two vaccines considered so important for expectant moms? The CDC says the flu vaccine decreases the risk of influenza-related hospitalization by about 40 percent in pregnant women and 72 percent in babies younger than 6 months. That’s because when you get the vaccine, you build up antibodies that are then transferred to your growing baby and can help protect them after birth, until they’re old enough to get the vaccine themselves. Similarly, the Tdap vaccine decreases the risk of whooping cough in babies younger than 2 months by 78 percent and their associated hospitalization risk by 91 percent.

“Influenza and pertussis, or whooping cough, are serious infections that can be deadly for babies, especially for those who are too young to be vaccinated directly,” Anne Schuchat, MD, principal deputy director of the CDC, told The New York Times. “We are stressing the importance of two safe and effective vaccines for pregnant women and the risks to both women and their babies when these vaccines are not given during pregnancy.”

According to the CDC’s recommendation, pregnant women can get the flu shot at any point during their pregnancy and the TDAP early in their third trimester.

There’s a lot of misinformation out there when it comes to vaccines, and it can be hard for expectant parents to cut through the noise and make a decision that’s right for them and their family. That’s why the CDC urges all moms-to-be to speak with their prenatal care provider.

“Obstetricians and midwives are on the front line of care for expectant mothers and are the most trusted source of vaccine information for their pregnant patients,” Amanda Cohn, MD, chief medical officer in CDC’s National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, said in a press release. “We encourage them to start discussing the importance of maternal vaccination early in pregnancy, and continue vaccination discussions with their patients throughout pregnancy.”

Please note: The Bump and the materials and information it contains are not intended to, and do not constitute, medical or other health advice or diagnosis and should not be used as such. You should always consult with a qualified physician or health professional about your specific circumstances.

save article
Article removed.
Name added. View Your List
ADVERTISEMENT

Next on Your Reading List

pregnant woman getting a prenatal massage
How to Safely Enjoy a Prenatal Massage
Medically Reviewed by Kendra Segura, MD
woman pouring honey onto spoon
Can You Have Honey While Pregnant?
Medically Reviewed by Kendra Segura, MD
pregnant woman wearing a sweater and holding a cup of tea
5 Ways to Survive a Winter Pregnancy
By Elena Donovan Mauer
ADVERTISEMENT
Can You Color Your Hair While Pregnant?
Can You Color Your Hair While Pregnant?
Medically Reviewed by Kendra Segura, MD
pink benadryl antihistamine pills in plastic packaging
Can You Take Benadryl While Pregnant?
Medically Reviewed by Kendra Segura, MD
large concert crowd in arena
Is Loud Noise During Pregnancy Safe for Baby’s Hearing?
Medically Reviewed by Kendra Segura, MD
woman using a heating pad on her stomach while laying in bed
Is It Safe to Use a Heating Pad While Pregnant?
Medically Reviewed by Kendra Segura, MD
ADVERTISEMENT
pregnant woman with tattoos on arm
The Lowdown on Getting a Tattoo While Pregnant
Medically Reviewed by Kendra Segura, MD
woman putting out a cigarette in ashtray
The Dangers of Smoking and Vaping While Pregnant
Medically Reviewed by Kendra Segura, MD
woman relaxing in the bath
Is CBD Oil Safe During Pregnancy?
Medically Reviewed by Kendra Segura, MD
ADVERTISEMENT
glasses of rose wine outside on table
The Real Deal With Drinking During Pregnancy
Medically Reviewed by Kendra Segura, MD
pregnant holding a glass of water while looking at phone
Mom's Exposure to PFAS Linked to Obesity in Kids
By Wyndi Kappes
Is It True Pregnant Women Shouldn't Take Baths?
Is It True Pregnant Women Shouldn't Take Baths?
Medically Reviewed by Kendra Segura, MD
ADVERTISEMENT
pregnant woman applying sunscreen on the beach
The Best Pregnancy-Safe Sunscreen for All Skin Types
Medically Reviewed by Kendra Segura, MD
spa treatment products, brushes, scrubs
Spa Treatments You Can (and Can’t) Enjoy While Pregnant
Medically Reviewed by Kendra Segura, MD
midwife applying essential oil onto pregnant woman's wrist
What You Need to Know About Essential Oils for Pregnancy
Medically Reviewed by Kendra Segura, MD
illustration of colorful paint sample booklet
Safety Scoop: Can You Paint the Nursery While Pregnant?
Medically Reviewed by Kendra Segura, MD
ADVERTISEMENT
Monkeypox and smallpox vaccine is shown at Northstar Medical Center in Chicago on July 18, 2022
US Reports First Monkeypox Case in a Pregnant Woman
By Wyndi Kappes
Pro-choice activists protesting in front of the U.S. Supreme Court on May 03, 2022 in Washington, DC
How the Overturning of Roe V. Wade May Impact Maternal Health
By Ashlee Neuman
pregnant woman sitting on bed at home with beautiful sunlight coming through the windows
7 Ways to Detox Your Home and Routine for a Healthier Pregnancy
By Carson Meyer
ADVERTISEMENT
Article removed.