The Schedule and Time of Travel Vaccinations During Pregnancy

Vaccination is essential for the well-being of the mother and foetus alike. As such, pregnant women who get such vaccines protect their unborn babies from diseases as well. Generally, there are two types of vaccines that are used for immunisation against diseases: vaccines containing attenuated viruses and those containing live viruses.

Medical doctors discourage pregnant women from travelling to areas or countries where vaccinations are compulsory. However, they can visit a travel clinic for vaccination if such trips cannot be postponed or cancelled. Getting such vaccines may pose a risk to the unborn baby, but travelling unprotected may be riskier.

Travel vaccinations may involve the administration of live vaccines. These vaccines contain small amounts of live virus, and may potentially affect the unborn baby. Such live vaccines include MMR, which prevents mumps, measles, and rubella. The BCG vaccine is also one of the live vaccines and is essential for the prevention of tuberculosis.

Pregnant women are also prone to malaria, and travelling to countries or regions where malaria is common may be risky to the mother and the baby. As such, taking an anti-malaria vaccination is advisable. Travelling to countries in Africa, Asia, Middle East, South, and Central America puts pregnant mothers at greater health risk as these areas have higher malaria prevalence rates.

Apart from administering vaccines, Travel Clinic Epsom also helps locals understand better the benefits and risks of travel vaccines. Whenever you are planning a pregnancy, it is important to know the recommended time for taking the different vaccines. Taking shots of the flu vaccination is also advisable, especially during the flu season. The Tdap vaccine should also be administered within 27 and 36 weeks of pregnancy.

Before travelling to foreign countries, Boots travel clinic recommends that pregnant women take vaccines to protect them from contagious diseases. As such, such women should get the oral typhoid vaccine for typhoid prevention. Overall, live travel vaccines should be given during the eighth month of pregnancy.