Vaccination during pregnancy. What vaccinations should be done before pregnancy. Measles vaccination for pregnant women

By the time of pregnancy, a woman should ideally be fully vaccinated. Although there is no rigorous evidence for the risk to the fetus of both inactivated (killed) and live vaccines, their use may coincide with the birth of a child with a birth defect, making the situation difficult to interpret. In this regard, the issue of vaccination of a pregnant woman is decided on a case-by-case basis, after a thorough assessment of the possible risks and benefits.

Vaccinations for pregnant women, general rules: *

1. The mother's pregnancy is not considered a contraindication to vaccination of other children in her family.
2. No vaccinations are given during the first trimester of pregnancy.
3. If the epidemic situation so requires, all but live vaccines can be administered (anti-tetanus, influenza and pneumococcal vaccinations are carried out in many countries).
4. No side effects have been observed even with live vaccines (including, at a minimum, oral polio and triple vaccines).
5. In case of accidental vaccination with a triple vaccine (measles, mumps, rubella), there is no indication for termination of pregnancy.

Measles vaccination for pregnant women

Impossible to apply live measles vaccines during pregnancy and during breastfeeding. Vaccination of women with the drug Priorix» carried out only in the absence of pregnancy and the consent of the woman to be protected from conception within 3 months after vaccination. Breastfeeding women may be vaccinated if the benefits of vaccination outweigh the possible risks. In case of contact with measles, prophylaxis is carried out with immunoglobulin.

Hepatitis vaccine for pregnant women

Hepatitis A. Due to the lack of sufficient data on the use of vaccines (Havrix, Hep-A-in-Vac, Avaxim) in pregnant women, their use is not recommended, despite the minimal risk of exposure to inactivated vaccines on the fetus and child. The decision to vaccinate pregnant women should be taken only on the basis of an assessment of the real risk of hepatitis A infection. The vaccine (Avaxim) can be used during lactation. Havrix vaccine during lactation is used only if there is an absolute indication.

Hepatitis B. In the Guidelines MU 3.3.1.1123-02. 3.3.1. Vaccination indicates that pregnancy is NOT a contraindication to hepatitis B vaccination. However, the instructions for such vaccines as "Hepatitis B Vaccine Recombinant Yeast" and "Hepatitis B Vaccine Recombinant (rDNA)" "Engerix B" indicate that the effect of the vaccine on the fetus has not been studied and the possibility of vaccination is not recommended during pregnancy and lactation and the question of the use of the vaccine by a pregnant woman may be considered at an extremely high risk of infection.

Tetanus shot for pregnant women

The tetanus vaccine is the only one of all vaccines that has no contraindications at all. Therefore, it is possible to administer tetanus toxoid to pregnant women.

flu shot for pregnant women

During pregnancy, influenza vaccination can only be given using inactivated subunit or split (split) vaccines, as these vaccines do not contain live viruses and have a high safety profile. The safest vaccination is in the second and third trimesters.

In order to prevent influenza in pregnant and lactating women caused by the pandemic strain A (H1N1), domestic vaccines are recommended: MonoGrippolNeo, MonoGrippol and MonoGrippolPlus. Breastfeeding is not a contraindication for vaccination.

Pregnant women and nursing mothers can be vaccinated with flu shots such as: Influvac, Vaxigrip, Inflexal V, Fluarix. These vaccines do not have a teratogenic or toxic effect on the fetus in pregnant women.

Rubella vaccine for pregnant women

Rubella. Rubella vaccination is contraindicated during pregnancy. It is advisable to vaccinate all women who are not pregnant and who are not going to become pregnant in the next 3 months, in whom the presence of antibodies in the blood is not precisely determined. Pregnant women with hypersensitivity should be vaccinated immediately after giving birth. After the introduction of the rubella vaccine, women of childbearing age are prescribed contraceptives for 2 months. If this vaccine is given to a woman who did not know she was pregnant or who conceived within 3 months of vaccination, the pregnancy is not terminated.

Other vaccinations for pregnant women

Rabies. Pregnancy is NOT a contraindication to rabies vaccination, i.e. pregnant women are routinely vaccinated, such as the Kokav rabies vaccine.

Tick-borne encephalitis. Vaccinations against tick-borne encephalitis are contraindicated during pregnancy. Vaccinations are allowed 2 weeks after birth.

Meningitis. There are currently no data on the use of the vaccine Mencevax ACWY in pregnant women, as well as data on its effect on the body. On theoretical grounds, Mencevax ACWY should not be administered to pregnant women unless such women are at high risk of infection. The meningococcal group A dry polysaccharide vaccine is contraindicated during pregnancy and lactation, as the safety of use has not been studied.

Mumps. Mumps culture live vaccine is contraindicated during pregnancy and during breastfeeding.

Polio. The inactivated polio vaccine Imovax Polio can be used during pregnancy and lactation. There are no adequate data on the use of the Poliorix vaccine and the Oral Polio Vaccine during pregnancy and lactation.

Vaccinations for lactation

Breastfeeding is not a contraindication to vaccination of a woman, neither live nor inactivated vaccines pose a threat to her health. Of all the live vaccines, only the rubella vaccine virus is excreted in milk, while infection of the infant is rare and often detected only serologically. ( "MU 3.3.1.1123-02. 3.3.1. Vaccinal prophylaxis. Monitoring of post-vaccination complications and their prevention. Guidelines"). But, despite this statement, many vaccine manufacturers in the attached instructions for use do not recommend or prohibit the use of the drug during the period

It is necessary and whether it is possible to vaccinate during pregnancy, many expectant mothers think. Any woman wants to protect herself and her baby from unwanted health problems. Many questions arise: is it safe, will the vaccination have the desired effect, will the vaccination not affect the normal formation and development of the embryo? When deciding in favor of vaccinations, the fair sex should know all the pros and cons of this procedure.

No matter how long your pregnancy is, you do not have the right to decide on your own such a serious issue as immunization. It is within the competence of physicians to determine whether it is possible to vaccinate pregnant women in general and whether their use is advisable in each specific case. The doctor will assess the health of the mother and child, and draw a conclusion regarding the need for vaccinations.

But, there are some basic criteria for using antigenic materials to induce immunity to disease, and women should be aware of them.

• It is forbidden to use any vaccines in the first three months after fertilization of the egg. At this time, internal organs are laid in the embryo, and injections can cause disruptions in these processes. All this leads to malformations in development. Even doctors find it difficult to answer the question of how the vaccine will affect the fetus.
• It is necessary to resort to vaccinations in cases where there is a high probability of infection, and the negative consequences of the disease will exceed the possible results from vaccination.
• Under strict prohibition is the use in pregnant women of drugs that contain live viruses, as well as their weakened species. These vaccines include mumps, rubella, measles, polio, smallpox, and tuberculosis. Vaccination is allowed only with inactivated materials.
• Immunization of pregnant women is mandatory in situations where an epidemic is expected in the area.
• There are times when women do not yet know about pregnancy, and they get vaccinated. Doctors must warn them of the likely consequences of this erroneous action, while the issue of abortion is most often not raised.

Following these simple rules makes vaccinations absolutely safe. You do not need to believe in stories that talk about miscarriages or pathologies in the development of the child after the administration of drugs.

Vaccines that can be given during pregnancy

If you are planning a pregnancy, then the issue of vaccinations should be considered in advance. In this way, it is possible to prevent the possibility of dangerous infections entering the woman's body. But what about those who found out about their interesting situation unexpectedly, “without a plan”? In such situations, you need to know which vaccines are allowed for pregnant women, and which are strictly prohibited when carrying a baby.

We suggest that you familiarize yourself with the list of vaccinations that are allowed to be given to women in an "interesting position" after the first trimester, if there is a risk of infection with certain viruses.

1. From rage. It must be done without any hesitation. This infection is very serious, in the absence of adequate treatment, it provides a person with a fatal outcome. In this regard, you should not even think about whether to resort to vaccination or not. Studies conducted by physicians have not revealed the negative impact of the drug "Kokav" on the development of the fetus.
2. There is no danger of vaccination against hepatitis B. In newborns and infants infected with this virus, there is a huge risk of developing liver pathologies, including chronic lesions and death. Doctors believe that the hepatitis vaccine is not capable of harming the fetus. On the contrary, if a child is born from a mother infected with the virus in the last months of pregnancy, and he is not vaccinated at birth, then the baby develops chronic hepatitis in 90 percent of cases.
3. Flu vaccination recommended. Doctors recommend seasonal vaccination for pregnant women. Studies have not revealed manifestations of a side character after the introduction of inactivated material against the virus, neither in the expectant mother, nor in the baby. However, a very small percentage of the fair sex is at risk of making a “protective injection” and protecting their health and the future baby from possible complications that the disease carries.
4. From tetanus and diphtheria. These vaccinations are the only immunobiological materials that must be administered without fail to all women who have not been vaccinated before. Vaccination is carried out from 4 to 6 months of pregnancy. Tetanus toxoid does not adversely affect the fetus and has no contraindications to its use.
5. Against chicken pox. This infection is especially dangerous in early and late pregnancy. An illness in the first trimester leads to congenital malformations in the development of the fetus or provokes a miscarriage. If a woman becomes infected at 6-9 months, then the child may be born with a congenital infection or die at birth. Usually, the vaccine is given in cases where there has been contact with a person carrying the virus.

To date, there is a lot of controversy on the topic: is it possible for pregnant women to be vaccinated. However, every mother must first of all take care of her baby and his health. If there is a possibility of contracting viruses or infections that are dangerous to the fetus, then it is better to try to prevent the disease and get vaccinated.

Vaccines to be used with caution

Immunization of women during the period of bearing a child protects not only herself, but also transfers antibodies to the baby. They provide newborn protection in the first months after birth. There are some vaccines that are not recommended for pregnant women.

• From hepatitis A, because the safety of the drug for the development of the fetus has not been proven. It is worth noting that at the same time, no pathologies were found after the vaccination.
• Against yellow fever, typhoid, plague, cholera, encephalitis. Since there is no data on the safety of vaccinations for a developing organism. To avoid infection, it is worth refusing to travel to countries (Africa, Latin America) in which the carriers of these infections live - mosquitoes. In other cases, the vaccine can be given no earlier than the fourth month of pregnancy.
• against pneumococcus. Vaccination should be given to those women for whom there is a high risk of infection.
• from meningococcal infection. This pathogen in most cases leads to the development of severe meningitis. By increasing the permeability of blood vessels, it penetrates the baby's body through the blood-brain barrier. In this case, an artificial termination of pregnancy is indicated. Therefore, if the likelihood of infection is high, then vaccination is best done.

Before deciding on the need for vaccination, it would be advisable to compare the risks of possible consequences from the administered drug and from infection with viruses and infections.

Vaccinations contraindicated for pregnant women

It is believed that the period of pregnancy is a contraindication to immunization with live virus vaccines. This is justified by the fact that there is a high probability of penetration of viruses through the placental barrier and infection of the fetus inside the womb. Modern doctors believe that using "live" vaccines while carrying a baby should be done with great care. At the same time, vaccination is not considered an indication for abortion.

What vaccinations contain live viruses and infections? Vaccination of pregnant women is prohibited if it concerns the following diseases:

1. Measles. Vaccination against the disease should be carried out either before conception or after the birth of a child. Despite the complications that measles gives, you should not be vaccinated against measles during pregnancy. A woman who did not suffer from this disease in childhood should decide in advance on the issue of vaccination.
2. Rubella. It is one of the most serious diseases for a pregnant woman. If you get rubella at an early stage, then the baby will have serious pathologies of the heart, brain, internal organs, visual and hearing impairment. Closer to the end of the term, the risks decrease and practically disappear. Until the moment when you plan to conceive a baby, you need to do an analysis showing the presence of antibodies to rubella in the blood. According to its results, it can be seen whether the expectant mother has immunity to this disease. In his absence, a vaccination is given. Planning for pregnancy should begin three months after vaccination.
3. Mumps. Pregnant women are contraindicated to administer a drug that prevents the development of this disease. This must be done before the conception of the baby.
4. Tick-borne encephalitis. This dangerous infection affects the spinal cord, as a result of which the onset of disability is not excluded and even death is possible. Infection with tick-borne encephalitis is a clear indication for artificial termination of pregnancy.

It is worth noting that there are no specific data on the results of the use of vaccines containing live viruses during pregnancy. Their negative impact on the developing fetus has not been confirmed. The only live vaccine that is toxic to the developing organism is the smallpox vaccine. It should not be used on fertile women without confirmation that they are not pregnant.

Is it possible to get immunized before pregnancy? Health recommends that women planning to have a baby do all the necessary revaccinations before conception. It will be useful to undergo an examination and consult a doctor regarding the necessary vaccinations. Well, if you have a punched card with records of all vaccinations carried out, this will help the doctor orient himself in prescribing the necessary protective drugs. In the absence of a card, you can simply do a blood test, it will help determine what vaccinations you need.

• Anti-influenza.
• From human papillomavirus.
• Against measles, mumps (mumps), rubella.
• Tetanus, diphtheria, whooping cough.
• chicken pox

After vaccination, at least three months must pass before trying to get pregnant.

Tetanus can occur as a result of the fact that its pathogen has entered the body of a pregnant woman. This is facilitated by such damage to the skin and mucous membranes, such as:

• burns,
• wounds and scratches,
• frostbite.

Of particular danger are wounds that have a deep shape. It is in them that tetanus bacilli can actively develop, forming toxins, since there is no air supply. A pregnant woman can become infected during medical events or surgery, in which antiseptic and aseptic requirements were not met. Also, the main reason for the appearance of tetanus is the lack of vaccination, which is carried out in childhood.

Symptoms

The same symptoms are typical for patients of different ages and gender, including pregnant women. The disease has several stages. With the initial development of tetanus, symptoms such as:

• dull lingering pains in the place where the infection has penetrated;
• chewing muscles contract and are in a tense state;
• mimic muscles are also tense;
• swallowing is difficult, provides painful sensations;
• the presence of a "sardonic smile".

For the height of the disease is characteristic:

• the presence of tension in the muscles of the limbs and torso;
• relaxation does not occur even during sleep;
• constant presence of the legs in a straight position;
• the presence of shallow and rapid breathing;
• difficulties in the removal of feces and urine;
• the occurrence of convulsions of various particulars;
• temperature increase;
• occurrence of insomnia.

Diagnosis of tetanus during pregnancy

The doctor checks the medical history of a pregnant woman, analyzes her contacts with infected patients. The doctor determines the presence of a wound in which the bacterium has entered. Blood tests are taken to confirm the presence of tetanus bacillus. A professional specialist in infection will conduct a consultation survey, during which all questions that are inherent in an individual case will be clarified

Complications

This type of disease is characterized by almost the same complications for people of different sex, age, including pregnant women. The worst consequence of tetanus is the loss of a child or the death of a future woman in labor. Such situations are typical only if the disease was diagnosed in the later stages. The reason may be incorrect and incorrect treatment, selection of medicines. In some cases, an emergency caesarean section or abortion may be performed. Operations are carried out in order to save the lives of the mother and child.

Among the main consequences are:

• inflammatory and congestive lesions (venous thrombosis, bronchitis, pneumonia);
• injuries of bones, muscles, joints;
• rupture of tendons, muscles;
• bone fractures;
• spinal deformity.

The peculiarity of the disease is that the virus can pass to the fetus through the umbilical cord. In this case, the baby may be born with temporary immunity to tetanus. As a result, the ongoing vaccination helps for a certain period and there is practically no risk of infection.

Treatment

When a disease occurs, a pregnant woman is hospitalized in a medical institution, where she is in the intensive care unit. The treatment course should begin as quickly as possible, as delay can lead to irreversible consequences. It is controlled by several specialists at once, for example, a neurologist, gynecologist, resuscitator.

What can you do

Women who are expecting a baby should regularly monitor their health. In the presence of even the most insignificant manifestations that are not inherent in the condition, they must without fail seek the advice of a doctor. During the treatment of tetanus, they should adhere to all prescriptions and recommendations of doctors.

What does a doctor do

The resulting wound, burn, scratch, even in a stitched state, is opened and carefully treated with antiseptics and antibacterial agents. An effective way is the introduction of serum.

The treatment course includes a large number of activities. The doctor does the following:

• convulsions are treated with special drugs;
• tries to eliminate irritating factors that provoke muscle contractions (too bright lighting, hum, extraneous noise, touch);
• antibacterial agents are prescribed only if there is a significant risk of complications and inflammation, as they adversely affect the condition of the mother and child;
• if a pregnant woman cannot feed herself, she is fed through an umbrella or by intravenous injection.

The selection of the necessary drugs is carried out very carefully. It depends on the duration of pregnancy, the characteristics of the course of the disease, the age of the future woman in labor.

Prevention

Women who are expecting a baby should be responsible for their health. Conception and pregnancy should take place consciously. It is timely necessary to register with the appropriate medical institution, undergo an examination, pass tests and tests. Also, pregnant women should be constantly under the supervision of a specialist.

There are specific and non-specific preventive measures aimed at preventing the occurrence of tetanus. The first ones include:

• injury prevention at home, at the workplace;
• exclusion of non-sterile operating rooms.

For specific preventive measures, routine vaccination is typical. Vaccination is necessary for pregnant women so that the body can produce the necessary substances that would effectively fight infections. A distinctive feature of tetanus is that after its treatment, immunity is not formed, which can lead to re-infection. Therefore, women who are pregnant need to carefully monitor their health.

Some infections experienced by a woman during pregnancy can harm the health of the expectant mother and her baby. Vaccinations help protect the body from all kinds of infections, so timely vaccination is very important. Vaccines give you immunity, which you pass on to your baby during pregnancy. This helps to protect the baby also during the first few months of life, until they get their vaccinations.

Most likely, you were vaccinated against all dangerous infectious diseases that could affect pregnancy as a child. But, unfortunately, not all vaccines can give you lifelong immunity. In addition, there are many other vaccines now available that didn't exist when you were little.

However, keep in mind that not all vaccinations are safe while you are pregnant! Therefore, before agreeing to be vaccinated during pregnancy, make sure that this vaccine is approved for pregnant women!

We have compiled a list of certain vaccinations that should only be given before or after pregnancy, and which are allowed during pregnancy if the mother-to-be needs them.

The Ministry of Health recommends that a woman get all the necessary booster shots before becoming pregnant. If you are planning to become pregnant, you should have a pre-pregnancy screening to check with your doctor if you need any vaccinations.

If you have a copy of a punch card containing a record of all your vaccinations, . If you don't have a copy, a simple blood test will be done to find out which shots you need. If you have any vaccinations, wait 1 to 3 months before trying to conceive (your doctor will tell you exactly how long to delay pregnancy).

1. Against the flu - given once a year during the flu season (October to May), that is, this vaccine protects against seasonal flu. If you become infected, you are less likely than unvaccinated people to have serious complications from it, in particular pneumonia.

2. HPV - This vaccine protects against the human papillomavirus, an infection that causes genital warts. The infection can also lead to cervical cancer. This vaccine is recommended for all women under the age of 26.

3. MMR - This vaccine protects you against both measles and rubella. The most dangerous among these infections for pregnant women is rubella, which is a medical indication for abortion. Measles can cause fetal death and often results in miscarriage.

4. DTP - this vaccine prevents infection with whooping cough, diphtheria and tetanus. Whooping cough spreads easily and is very dangerous for a child. If you are planning to become pregnant, you should get the DPT vaccination to protect your baby.

5. Against chicken pox. Chickenpox spreads easily and can cause birth defects in the fetus if you contract it during pregnancy. If you've never had chickenpox and are thinking about getting pregnant, be sure to get vaccinated!

What vaccinations are allowed during pregnancy?

Pregnant women are allowed two vaccinations during pregnancy:

1. Against influenza, if the woman was not vaccinated before pregnancy;
2. DTP, but only between the 27th and 36th weeks.

However, if you have been exposed to certain diseases, or if you are at a very high risk of developing an infection, your doctor may recommend other vaccinations while you are pregnant. These include:

1. Anthrax;
2. Japanese encephalitis;
3. Polio;
4. Rabies;
5. Yellow fever.

There are several vaccines that should not be given to pregnant women:

• BCG (against tuberculosis);
• against meningococcal infection;
• MRC (measles, rubella, mumps);
• against chickenpox;
• against typhoid fever.

After receiving any of these vaccinations, you should wait at least 1 month before trying to conceive.

If you did not get vaccinated before or during pregnancy, do so after the baby is born. This may help protect you from illness in future pregnancies.

If you didn't have DTP before or during pregnancy, you can do it right after giving birth. This vaccination will protect you from getting whooping cough and passing it from you to your baby. Your baby will also need to have their first DPT shot at 3 months of age. However, the child will not have good immunity until he has received three doses of this vaccine.

If you are breastfeeding, you can safely take the recommended adult vaccinations. If you have doubts or have questions, you can check everything with your doctor.

Pregnancy is a special period in a woman's life, when she especially carefully monitors her health because of the possible impact on the development of the baby. One of the dangerous and very serious diseases that can occur during pregnancy is hepatitis B. To protect themselves and the child, women have the opportunity to get vaccinated against hepatitis, and not worry about the consequences of the disease throughout the pregnancy.

What is the danger of the disease?

Hepatitis B is a viral disease that, after active development in the human body, affects the liver. After entering the body, it takes from 2 to 6 months of the incubation period, that is, before the onset of symptoms of the disease. But there are also such clinical forms of the disease, when hepatitis B proceeds absolutely without any signs - in such cases it is discovered by chance during a scheduled test.

The development of hepatitis during pregnancy usually does not threaten any fetal pathologies, but serious complications for the mother. So, her condition can significantly worsen due to high loads at this time, cancer or cirrhosis of the liver, liver failure can develop. Also, the disease can go into a chronic form, which will accompany a woman all her life. Chronic hepatitis causes severe damage to the liver and can make it impossible to get pregnant in some cases.

Since with hepatitis there is a slow destruction of the liver with a decrease in the quality of its work, during pregnancy it worsens the mother's blood circulation and metabolism, and an insufficient amount of essential nutrients may be supplied to the child.

When a mother is infected during childbearing, hepatitis B develops at a very high rate, which leads to severe and serious destruction of the liver.

Infection with this disease can occur in several ways:

• When transfusing blood or any of its components (according to statistics, up to 2% of donors are carriers of this virus);
• Any contact with blood (on syringe needles, medical and manicure instruments, toothbrushes, etc.), even if it has already dried;
• During sexual intercourse without protection (condom);
• From mother to child (this method is called vertical), infection can occur in utero through the placenta in 3-10% of cases, or during childbirth with a much higher probability.

Hepatitis B is also dangerous because it does not die at high and low temperatures (boiling and freezing are not suitable as disinfection), and can also survive outside the human body for several months. It is because of this that in no case should you use non-disinfected manicure supplies and other items that could get blood. A very small amount of this biological fluid is enough for infection to occur, while the blood itself can even be dried up. Also, as a B, it is necessary to visit dental clinics, nail salons or tattoo studios with high-quality and regular disinfection.

immunity in pregnant women

Serious metamorphoses occur with immunity in pregnant women. The developing fetus is half alien to the mother's body, as it carries the father's genes. And so that the body does not reject the child, and the pregnancy goes well, the body somewhat reduces its immune defenses. Therefore, during pregnancy, the expectant mother has a serious risk of contracting various diseases from banal acute respiratory infections and acute respiratory viral infections to much more dangerous viruses, such as hepatitis B.

Due to low immunity, the body stops actively fighting infections that come to it, so many diseases develop very quickly, causing a crushing blow to various organs. Thus, the hepatitis B virus in a woman's body during pregnancy multiplies and reaches the liver very quickly - often two months after infection, the first symptoms of the disease begin to appear.

A mother can protect herself and reduce the risk of infecting a child by getting vaccinated against hepatitis B, following all the rules, starting with visiting a local therapist or immunologist.

Features of hepatitis vaccination

Vaccination against hepatitis B is actively carried out throughout the world. Thanks to this, it became possible to achieve significantly low incidence rates - for example, in Russia, the disease is found in about 5% of people (this number also includes carriers of the virus).

Vaccination against hepatitis is indicated not only when planning a pregnancy, but also in the upcoming frequent invasive procedures, which women also often have to undergo during the period of bearing a child.

Hepatitis B vaccines are the result of genetic engineering, they are inactivated, that is, the virus in them is not alive. The composition of such a vaccine contains only one component of the virus, so it is impossible to get sick with this disease after the vaccination.

To date, in Russia there are 6 approved vaccines against hepatitis B, which can be supplied free of charge in your clinic or for a fee in a private medical center. All of them are created according to the same scheme, have the same dosage and are put in the same way, the difference in them is the manufacturing pharmaceutical company. Any of the vaccines on the pharmaceutical market is equally capable of protecting against infection with this virus. Any of them is approximately equally effective and gives the same result - reliable protection against the terrible consequences of hepatitis B for mother and child.

The hepatitis B vaccine contains only one component of the virus, so several vaccinations are necessary to develop immunity to the disease. They are given according to this scheme: the second vaccination is given a month after the first, the third is given in another six months. The inoculation is placed in the deltoid muscle of the shoulder. Since all approved vaccines are interchangeable and work according to the same scheme, it is possible to replace the administered agent if necessary during subsequent vaccinations. It is still recommended to do all the steps with one type of vaccine. Vaccinations confer immunity to the virus for up to 15 years.

“All three vaccinations according to the plan give immunity to the disease by 90%, if the vaccination was carried out only twice - 75%, and after one time - 50%.”

Can I get vaccinated during pregnancy?

Hepatitis B during pregnancy is a very dangerous disease. Therefore, women are advised to think about their safety even before conception. If a woman plans to be vaccinated, she needs to be tested and undergo a therapist who will give permission to administer the drug.

Hepatitis is vaccinated when planning pregnancy, so the first injection should be given at least 10 months before conception in order to have time to complete the entire vaccination schedule and wait a short time after the last injection. Ideally, at least six months should elapse between the last vaccination and conception. In some cases, doctors suggest only the first two injections before pregnancy, and the last one after childbirth. In this case, the woman will have time to acquire immunity to hepatitis B by 75%, the vaccination will be valid for a year (after the third vaccine is delivered, this period will increase to 15 years).

The hepatitis vaccine contains a non-live virus, but its administration during childbearing is not recommended unless absolutely necessary. During pregnancy, a woman can be injected with immunoglobulin against the disease if she has been diagnosed with hepatitis B according to the results of the tests.

In extremely rare cases, a woman may be shown vaccination during the period of bearing a child.

In order to get such a vaccination in this situation, a woman should consult not only with her general practitioner and gynecologist, but also with a hepatologist and immunologist to make sure the risks are justified. The effect of the vaccine on the fetus has not been studied, therefore, it is placed during the period of bearing a child only in the most difficult and extreme cases.

Doctors strongly recommend that you carefully plan your pregnancy, and vaccinate against hepatitis and other vaccines in a timely manner before conception in order to significantly reduce the risk of contracting dangerous diseases for yourself and your child. Vaccination against hepatitis B is mandatory due to the seriousness of the possible consequences for the mother and the high risk of infection for the child. Many children infected during childbirth or pregnancy also have a high chance of getting a chronic form of this disease, that is, they will have to fight it throughout their lives.

Contraindications and side effects

The hepatitis B vaccine is very effective in helping to protect a mother and her unborn child from the virus. But at the same time, not everyone is allowed to put it on, even during the period of the planned conception. Vaccination against hepatitis B is prohibited in the following cases:

• Severe consequences after the previous administration of the vaccine (Quincke's edema, anaphylactic shock and other allergic reactions);
• High sensitivity to the composition of the vaccine;
• Acute period of any disease;
• Exacerbation of a chronic illness;
• Some diseases of the nervous system, especially in the progressive stage (including epilepsy).

After the vaccination, both some side effects and normal reactions to vaccination may develop. Such reactions that may occur shortly after the injection include pain and redness at the injection site, weakness and a slight increase in body temperature. In most cases, such a vaccination is tolerated very easily without bringing any discomfort. If post-vaccination reactions do develop, they disappear on their own in just three days.

Side effects of hepatitis B vaccination include:

• Allergic complications (arthritis, Quincke's edema and others);
• Skin types of allergies (urticaria, dermatitis, etc.);
• Anaphylactic shock;
• Myalgia (severe muscle pain);
• Neuropathy;
• Paralysis of the facial nerve;
• Guillain-Barré syndrome.

All of these side effects require urgent medical attention, so if any of them develop, you need to call an ambulance. If not provided in a timely manner, some types of these side effects can lead to serious complications or even death.

The appearance of any kind of such side effects is the basis for the refusal or prohibition of subsequent vaccinations, even if only one vaccination was previously given.

You should not refuse vaccination only because of the risk of developing such effects - their likelihood is too small compared to the benefits of such vaccination, both during pregnancy and without it.

Do I need to get vaccinated and should I get vaccinated?

If a woman is planning a pregnancy, she definitely needs to think about setting up all the necessary vaccinations. The hepatitis B vaccine is an easy way to protect your body against this virus for a long time. And since during the bearing of a baby, a woman will have to constantly deal with various medical procedures (examinations on a chair, blood sampling, etc.), the likelihood of infection increases significantly. And infection of a pregnant woman is very dangerous not only because the virus can be transmitted to the child in the womb or during childbirth, but also due to its extremely rapid development with serious liver disorders.

Therefore, such a vaccination during pregnancy planning is very important and should not be abandoned if there are no contraindications to vaccination.
Why is it worth getting vaccinated?
When a woman carefully and adequately plans her pregnancy, she tries to weigh the pros and cons of vaccination. Someone refuses to be vaccinated only because of fear of complications, others are sure that they will never have to deal with such serious viruses, and still others simply do not want to waste precious time visiting a clinic. But before refusing to give an injection that helps the body develop immunity, it is important to learn about the benefits of such a vaccination. The main reasons that should be the basis for vaccinating include:

• High risk of infection. Every year the number of cases is steadily growing, so the chance of coming face to face with the virus increases significantly.
• If hepatitis occurs in a chronic form, it proceeds quite severely and can lead to terrible complications, including disability and death.
• risk of infection in the child. Children suffer from hepatitis B much more difficult than adults, they can develop many more complications. And the consequences of the disease appear much earlier than in adults.
• If a child is infected during childbirth or in utero, the risk of developing chronic hepatitis B is too high, which will affect his whole life.
• Hepatitis B vaccination does not provide an absolute guarantee that mother and child will not be infected. But such a risk is significantly reduced compared to unvaccinated people, and if the disease develops, it proceeds in a much milder form, the likelihood of any complications decreases. Also, in the presence of vaccination, hepatitis is less likely to turn into a chronic form of the disease and can be successfully cured with the creation of absolute immunity to the disease.

After weighing all the risks and benefits of vaccination, a woman has to make a decision that can save her child's health.

Disease prevention

Vaccination is not only an effective way to prevent hepatitis B infection. Unlike vaccination, the preventive measures presented can also be observed during pregnancy. First of all, it is necessary to conduct a survey of all family members to make sure that they do not have the virus.

You should also refrain from using any items that may contain the blood or saliva of an infected person. Even an imperceptible particle of dried blood on nail scissors can cause the development of this serious disease - with a small accidental cut, infection can occur. For the same reason, you can’t take someone else’s toothbrush - traces of saliva are guaranteed to remain on it.

When visiting the dentist, nail salon, and other places where contact with your blood may occur, you should choose places where special attention is paid to sterilizing devices. It is important to bear in mind that disinfection in the form of boiling or freezing cannot be used for instruments - the hepatitis B virus survives with such methods.

Compliance with such simple measures gives a fairly high efficiency in preventing hepatitis B. All this can be done both during pregnancy and after it, so if a woman has not had time to put down all the necessary vaccinations, she can independently reduce the risk of contracting the virus.

Getting vaccinated against hepatitis B while preparing for pregnancy shows the expectant mother's responsible attitude towards her health and the well-being of her unborn child. Such an injection can save a child from a long-term struggle with the destruction of the liver and the serious consequences of chronic hepatitis, as well as avoid terrible complications for the mother during pregnancy, since during this period an increased load is imposed on the liver without the presence of a virus in the body.