Which vaccines are safe and recommended during pregnancy?

• A. Influenza and TDap
• B. Varicella and MMR
• C. Hepatitis B only
• D. Rabies only

Answer: (A)

Vaccination during pregnancy focuses on protecting both mother and baby with vaccines that are proven safe in pregnancy. The influenza vaccine is inactivated and recommended for all pregnant people during flu season because it reduces maternal illness and potential complications for the pregnancy, and it can be given at any stage of pregnancy. The Tdap vaccine is advised with each pregnancy, ideally between 27 and 36 weeks, to maximize the transfer of protective antibodies to the newborn and protect the infant from pertussis in the early weeks of life.

Live vaccines such as varicella and MMR are avoided during pregnancy due to potential risk to the fetus, so they are given after delivery if nonimmune. Hepatitis B vaccine is safe in pregnancy and is used when there’s a risk or exposure, but it isn’t the only safe vaccine during pregnancy and isn’t universally required. Rabies vaccine isn’t routinely given during pregnancy unless there’s an exposure risk.

Therefore, influenza and Tdap are the vaccines specifically recommended during pregnancy.