Skipping Vaccination During Pregnancy: Don’t Let It Become a Regret!

Pregnancy is a sacred yet challenging period that requires comprehensive healthcare. One of the most important protective measures is vaccination. However, many pregnant women remain hesitant about or choose to skip vaccination, potentially exposing both themselves and their unborn babies to serious health risks. This article by Dr. Hien Minh, Deputy Head of the Vaccination Unit at University Medical Center Ho Chi Minh City (UMC), highlights these risks to help expectant mothers make informed decisions and avoid future regret.

1. Pregnant Women Have Altered Immune Responses

The immune system of pregnant women undergoes natural changes to prevent the body from rejecting the fetus, which is considered a “foreign” entity by the maternal body. This may make pregnant women more vulnerable to certain infectious diseases. Without adequate vaccination, the risk of developing serious illness may be higher than in non-pregnant individuals.

2. Pregnant Women May Be Exposed to Infectious Environments

Pregnant women working in healthcare or educational settings, or living in areas experiencing outbreaks of infectious diseases such as influenza or pertussis, may have a higher risk of exposure. Vaccination is an effective protective measure in these circumstances [1].

1. Unpredictable Consequences of Skipping Vaccination

Skipping vaccination during pregnancy may lead to serious and unpredictable consequences that can have long-term effects on the health of both mother and baby.

1.1. For the Mother

• Pregnancy complications (preterm birth, miscarriage): Certain infectious diseases, such as severe influenza or pertussis, may increase the risk of preterm birth, miscarriage, or stillbirth [6, 1].
• Severe, potentially life-threatening infections: Pregnant women may be at increased risk of severe complications from infections such as influenza, RSV-related pneumonia, or pertussis due to the natural changes in the immune system during pregnancy [1]. Illness during pregnancy may also make postpartum recovery more difficult and affect the mother’s physical and mental well-being.

1.2. For the Fetus and Newborn

• Impaired physical and neurological development: Certain maternal infections may affect the development of the fetal brain and body, potentially resulting in developmental delays or neurological problems later in life [6].
• Increased risk of infectious diseases after birth: Newborns receive antibodies from their mothers through the placenta. If the mother has not received recommended vaccinations, the baby may have less passive immunity and therefore less early protection against serious infectious diseases such as pertussis and influenza during the first 6 months of life, when the infant’s immune system is still developing [1, 4].
• Neonatal death: Serious infectious diseases such as pertussis can be fatal in newborns who are not yet old enough to receive their routine vaccinations [4].

2. Action Recommendation: Vaccinate Appropriately and on Schedule to Protect Mother and Baby

Skipping vaccination during pregnancy: Don’t let it become a regret!

Protecting the newborn from the very beginning: Newborns have not yet received their full series of vaccinations and their own immune defenses are still developing. When a mother has vaccine-induced antibodies, these antibodies can cross the placenta and help protect the baby during the early weeks of life.

Vaccination during pregnancy is an effective medical intervention widely recommended by leading health organizations worldwide, including the WHO, CDC, and ACOG.

2.1. Consult Your Doctor About an Appropriate Vaccination Schedule

Before or as soon as they begin planning a pregnancy, women should consult a physician to review their vaccination status. The physician will assess vaccination history, overall health status, and individual risk factors to develop the most appropriate vaccination schedule [1].

2.2. Vaccines Recommended During Pregnancy

• Influenza vaccine: Recommended annually for all pregnant women, regardless of the stage of pregnancy. Influenza vaccination helps protect the mother against serious complications and transfers antibodies to the newborn, providing protection during the first few months of life [1, 4].
• Tetanus–diphtheria–pertussis (Tdap) vaccine: One dose is recommended during every pregnancy, ideally between 27 and 36 weeks of pregnancy. Tdap helps protect newborns against pertussis, a serious respiratory disease that can be fatal in young infants [1, 4].
• COVID-19 vaccine: COVID-19 vaccines have been shown to be safe and effective, helping protect the mother and providing antibodies to the fetus [1, 3].
• RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) vaccine: Certain newer RSV vaccines are recommended for pregnant women to help prevent RSV-associated lower respiratory tract infection in infants younger than 6 months [1].

Note: Live attenuated vaccines such as measles–mumps–rubella (MMR) and varicella SHOULD NOT BE ADMINISTERED during pregnancy. Women should receive these vaccines at least 1 month before becoming pregnant [1, 6].

3. Editorial Review Information & References

• Medical consultation: MSc. MD Nguyen Hien Minh
• Last updated: November 15, 2025

3.1. References

• [1] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Guidelines for Vaccinating Pregnant Women. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines-pregnancy/hcp/vaccination-guidelines/index.html. Accessed November 15, 2025.
• [2] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Vaccine Safety for Moms-To-Be. https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines-pregnancy/moms-to-be/index.html. Accessed November 15, 2025.
• [3] ACOG Committee Opinion No. 741: Maternal Immunization. Obstet Gynecol. 2018 Jun;131(6):e214–e217. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29794683/. Accessed November 15, 2025.
• [4] Chittajallu, L. V. S., Kaku, R., Kondadasula, P., Lim, J. Y., & Zhumabekova, A. (2025). Safety and Efficacy of Vaccines During Pregnancy: A Systematic Review. Cureus, 17(1), e77176. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11806401/. Accessed November 15, 2025.
• [5] Mitchell, S. L., Schulkin, J., & Power, M. L. (2023). Vaccine hesitancy in pregnant women: A narrative review. Vaccine, 41(29), 4220–4227. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37291023/. Accessed November 15, 2025.
• [6] Bozzo, P., Narducci, A., & Einarson, A. (2011). Vaccination during pregnancy. Canadian Family Physician, 57(5), 555–557. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3093587/. Accessed November 15, 2025.

The information provided above is for reference purposes only and does not constitute medical advice or a recommendation. Please contact your physician for detailed consultation.