Immunization During Pregnancy: Impact on the Infant

• Published in: Paediatric drugs Vol. 19; no. 4; pp. 313 - 324
• Main Authors: Perrett, Kirsten P., Nolan, Terry M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cham Springer International Publishing 01-08-2017; Springer; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Communicable diseases; Complications and side effects; Diphtheria - immunology; Diphtheria - prevention & control; Diphtheria-Tetanus-acellular Pertussis Vaccines - adverse effects; Diphtheria-Tetanus-acellular Pertussis Vaccines - immunology; Diseases; Drug therapy; Female; Fetus; Growth; Health aspects; Humans; Immunity, Maternally-Acquired; Immunization; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Infants (Newborn); Influenza Vaccines - adverse effects; Influenza Vaccines - immunology; Influenza, Human - immunology; Influenza, Human - prevention & control; Internal Medicine; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Methods; Mortality; Pandemics; Patient outcomes; Pediatrics; Pharmacotherapy; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications, Infectious - immunology; Pregnancy Complications, Infectious - prevention & control; Pregnancy, Complications of; Pregnant women; Prenatal influences; Prevention; Review Article; Risk factors; Tetanus - immunology; Tetanus - prevention & control; Vaccination; Vaccines; Whooping Cough - immunology; Whooping Cough - prevention & control; Womens health; Australia; Pertussis; Respiratory Syncytial Virus; Influenza Vaccine; Influenza; Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection
• ISSN: 1174-5878; 1179-2019
• DOI: 10.1007/s40272-017-0231-7

Maternal immunization has undergone a paradigm shift in recent years, as women and healthcare providers accept and recognize the benefits of this strategy not only for the pregnant woman but also for the developing fetus and young infant. This article reviews the evidence for active immunization during pregnancy, with an emphasis on perinatal and infant outcomes. Current recommendations for immunization during pregnancy are presented, with particular focus on the routinely recommended vaccines during pregnancy: influenza and Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis). We discuss future research directions, maternal vaccines in development, and considerations for optimizing and advancing this underutilized strategy.