Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine Provides Vaccination Recommendations for Pregnant Women

WASHINGTON - April 8, 2015 - PRLog -- World Immunization Week takes place on April 24-30, 2015 and, with this in mind, the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine released immunization recommendations for pregnant women. All women planning on becoming pregnant should see their doctor and make sure that they’re up-to-date on all of their immunizations including measles vaccinations.  Because this vaccination and other live vaccines should not be given during pregnancy, it is extremely important for women to plan ahead and make sure they have all of the necessary inoculations before becoming pregnant.

Helene Bernstein, M.D., Ph.D. is a Maternal-Fetal Medicine and infectious disease specialist and associate professor at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio.  She is also a member of the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine.  Bernstein explained, “Pregnant women are at increased risk for influenza-related complications, including premature labor and preterm birth. Vaccination reduces flu-related hospitalization by 71 percent and getting vaccinated while pregnant also protects the baby for up to six months after birth.”

Bernstein continued, “Influenza vaccination is recommended for every pregnant woman, every year and does not cause flu illness.”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that all pregnant women receive whooping cough or pertussis vaccination (Tdap) between 27 and 36 weeks for each pregnancy to protect the newborn until they receive their own vaccination at two months of age, Bernstein said.   She also advises that patients at risk for hepatitis A or B should be vaccinated during pregnancy.

“When physicians recommend vaccinations, the patient’s likelihood of being vaccinated increases seven-fold,” added Bernstein.

The Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (est. 1977) is the premiere membership organization for obstetricians/gynecologists who have additional formal education and training in maternal-fetal medicine.  The society is devoted to reducing high-risk pregnancy complications by sharing expertise through continuing education to its 2,000 members on the latest pregnancy assessment and treatment methods. It also serves as an advocate for improving public policy, and expanding research funding and opportunities for maternal-fetal medicine. The group hosts an annual meeting in which groundbreaking new ideas and research in the area of maternal-fetal medicine are shared and discussed.  For more information visit www.smfm.org.