What vaccine should women receive during every pregnancy?

The appropriate vaccine that women should receive during every pregnancy is the Tdap vaccine, specifically after 20 weeks of gestation. The Tdap vaccine is crucial because it protects both the mother and her newborn from serious diseases, particularly pertussis (whooping cough), which can be severe in infants. Administering Tdap during pregnancy helps ensure that the mother has adequate antibodies that can be transferred to the fetus, providing the newborn with some immunity during the critical early months of life when they are too young to receive their own vaccinations.

This timing (after 20 weeks) is important for maximizing the transfer of maternal antibodies to the baby, ensuring better protection at birth. Health authorities, including the CDC, recommend this vaccination for each pregnancy regardless of when it was received in previous pregnancies.

In contrast, while influenza vaccination is also encouraged during pregnancy, it is typically not mandated for every pregnancy as Tdap is. MMR vaccine is contraindicated during pregnancy, as it is a live vaccine and poses risks to the fetus. The HPV vaccine is not indicated during pregnancy, as it is meant for individuals prior to becoming sexually active and does not provide benefits during pregnancy. Therefore, the Tdap vaccine is uniquely positioned as the vaccine necessary for all pregnant women,