Before becoming pregnant, it is important for the individual to ensure they are up to date on their vaccines, as some vaccines are contraindicated (symptom or condition that makes a medical intervention unadvisable) during pregnancy.105
The first step to determine if an individual is up to date on vaccines, is to assess their immunization record.
Refer to- Michigan Care Improvement Registry (MCIR) webpage, within the toolkit for more information.
Even though it is important to be up to date with all vaccines before pregnancy, it is especially important for all pregnant people to be up to date at least one month prior to becoming pregnant.105
It is important to get MMR before becoming pregnant to reduce the risk of becoming infected with rubella which can pass on to the unborn child, causing Congenital Rubella Syndrome (CRS). CRS can cause severe birth defects and neurodevelopmental problems for the infant.106
Hepatitis B infection during pregnancy can pass be passed to the infant during birth. Hepatitis B can lead to serious, ongoing health problems for the child.106
If a pregnant person develops chickenpox during pregnancy, they are at risk of complications such as pneumonia. For the infant, the risks depend on the timing of the infection.106
If chickenpox develops during the first 20 weeks of pregnancy the infant risks developing a rare group of serious birth defects known as congenital varicella syndrome. A baby who has congenital varicella syndrome might develop skin scarring, and eye, brain, limb, and gastrointestinal abnormalities.106
If chickenpox develops during the few days before delivery to 48 hours postpartum, the baby might be born with a potentially life-threatening infection called neonatal varicella.106
Both the MMR vaccines are well as the chickenpox vaccine, are live-attenuated vaccines (refer to section 4 “Types of Vaccines”) meaning they are contraindicated during pregnancy. Getting those vaccines at least one month prior to pregnancy, will ensure immunity without complications to the pregnancy.105
For more information, regarding vaccine education before pregnancy, please refer to the CDC.
