Protect Your Little One: The “Golden Checklist” of Vaccines Expectant Mothers Shouldn’t Miss

Pregnancy is a miraculous 9-month, 10-day journey, but it can also bring many concerns. Alongside ultrasounds and medical tests, vaccination is one of the most important “checklist items” for mothers to prepare for a healthy start for their babies.

Many mothers may still have concerns, and even grandparents at home may say, “Back in our day, no one got vaccinated!” But dear mothers, modern medicine has shown that vaccination during pregnancy not only protects the mother but is also a priceless first gift of immunity that a mother passes on to her baby through the placenta.

Let’s join Dr. Hien Minh, Deputy Head of the Vaccination Unit at University Medical Center Ho Chi Minh City, to learn what this “shield” includes and why it is so important, based on recommendations from leading reputable health organizations such as the WHO (World Health Organization), the U.S. CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), and the Ministry of Health (MOH) of Vietnam.

1. Influenza Vaccine

• Why is it necessary? Pregnant women are considered a “priority” group for influenza infection. During pregnancy, changes in the mother’s immune system may increase susceptibility to severe influenza, potentially leading to serious complications such as pneumonia, hospitalization, and even adverse effects on the fetus. (1)
• Benefits for the baby: The influenza vaccine helps protect the baby against influenza during the first 6 months of life, as infants younger than 6 months are not yet eligible to receive this vaccine. (1)
• When should it be administered? At any stage of pregnancy. Ideally, vaccination should be administered at the beginning of the influenza season (in Vietnam, influenza circulates year-round, with peaks typically occurring during the winter–spring period).
• Note: Pregnant women should receive inactivated influenza vaccine (injectable form) only and should not receive the intranasal spray form (live vaccine). (1)

2. Tdap Vaccine (Tetanus–Diphtheria–Pertussis)

This is an EXTREMELY important “3-in-1” vaccine emphasized by modern medicine.

• Why is it necessary? This vaccine primarily protects newborns against pertussis (whooping cough). Pertussis can be dangerous and may cause respiratory failure and death in newborns, who are not yet old enough to complete their vaccination schedule. Currently, pertussis vaccination begins at 2 months of age as part of 6-in-1 or 5-in-1 combination vaccines. (2, 3)
• Benefits for the baby: Maternal pertussis antibodies are transferred to the baby, helping protect the infant during the “immunity gap” in the first 2 months of life. (3)
• When should it be administered? The optimal window is between 27 and 36 weeks of pregnancy. (1, 3) During this period, the mother’s body produces high levels of antibodies and transfers them to the baby efficiently.
• Note: Pregnant women should receive Tdap during EVERY PREGNANCY, regardless of whether they have received the vaccine previously. (1, 2)

3. Tetanus Vaccine (TT) and the “Upgraded” Tdap

In Vietnam, mothers are traditionally familiar with the 2-dose tetanus vaccination schedule (TT) to prevent neonatal tetanus. So, what is the difference between Tdap and TT?

• Previous schedule (TT): Focuses on tetanus prevention. (4)
• Updated schedule (Tdap): Provides protection against tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis.

According to the latest guidance from the Ministry of Health of Vietnam (3), pregnant women are encouraged to replace one dose of tetanus vaccine with Tdap (during weeks 27–36) to provide additional protection against pertussis for the baby. The specific vaccination schedule should be determined by a physician based on the mother’s vaccination history. (5)

4. RSV Vaccine (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) – A NEW and Highly Important Vaccine!

This is one of the latest recommendations and is considered a major advancement in protecting newborns.

• Why is it necessary? RSV is a leading cause of hospitalization among young children, particularly causing bronchiolitis and severe pneumonia in infants younger than 6 months. (6)
• Benefits for the baby: Similar to Tdap, maternal vaccination with the RSV vaccine (Pfizer’s Abrysvo) generates antibodies that are transferred to the baby, helping protect against severe RSV disease during the first 6 months of life. (6, 7)
• When should it be administered? A single dose should be administered between 32 and 36 weeks of pregnancy, typically during the RSV season. Mothers should consult their physicians regarding the appropriate timing based on local RSV circulation. (6, 7)

Pregnant women should always consult their obstetricians and vaccination specialists who are providing their care to determine the vaccination schedule that is most appropriate for their individual health status.

Do not hesitate to ask your physician questions. Vaccination is one of the most practical acts of love—a strong “shield” that mothers can give their babies from the very earliest days of pregnancy.

1. Editorial Review Information & References

Medical consultation: MSc. MD Nguyen Hien Minh
Last updated: November 16, 2025

1.1. REFERENCES

1. U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Vaccines During Pregnancy. CDC. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pregnancy/index.html. Last updated May 13, 2024.
2. World Health Organization (WHO). Pertussis: Summary of WHO Position (2015). WHO. https://www.who.int/teams/immunization-vaccines-and-biologicals/policies/position-papers/pertussis. Updated July 2024.
3. Ministry of Health of Vietnam. Decision No. 1563/QD-BYT Promulgating Interim Guidelines on the Use of Tdap (Tetanus–Diphtheria–Pertussis) Vaccine for Pregnant Women. Issued April 28, 2023.
4. Ministry of Health of Vietnam. Circular No. 38/2017/TT-BYT Promulgating the List of Communicable Diseases, Scope and Subjects Required to Use Vaccines and Medical Biological Products. Issued October 17, 2017.
5. VNVC Vaccination System. Vaccination Schedule for Pregnant Women. VNVC. https://vnvc.vn/lich-tiem-chung-cho-phu-nu-mang-thai/.
6. U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). RSV Vaccine Guidance for Pregnant Women. CDC. https://www.cdc.gov/rsv/hcp/vaccine-clinical-guidance/pregnant-people.html. Last updated August 30, 2024.
7. World Health Organization (WHO). Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) – Immunization, Vaccines and Biologicals. WHO. https://www.who.int/teams/immunization-vaccines-and-biologicals/diseases/respiratory-syncytial-virus-(rsv). Updated March 2025.