Immunization During Pregnancy - Toxoids

Toxoids

Tetanus toxoids appear safe during pregnancy and are administered in many countries of the world to prevent neonatal tetanus. The World Health Organization(WHO) states more than 180,000 newborns die and over 30,000 women die each year from tetanus. It is recommended by the American Congress of Obstetrics and Gynecologists(ACOG) the following schedule for pregnant women to receive the vaccine--

• Schedule if never immunized: three doses in 0, 4, and 6-12 months
• Schedule if unknown immunization: at least two doses** in the late second or third trimester. The National Business Group on Health (NBGH) states an analysis of pregnant women who received at least two doses had 98% effectiveness of the tetanus vaccine(NBGH, 2011).
• Not administered in pregnancy: a dose in postpartum period

• • One of the doses during pregnancy should be the Tdap** (ACOG, 2012).

References: American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG),Committee Opinion (2012). Update on immunization and pregnancy: tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis vaccination. 521(119), 690–1. Retrieved from http://www.acog.org/Resources_And_Publications/Committee_Opinions/Committee_on_ Obstetric_Practice/Update_on_Immunization_and_Pregnancy_Tetanus_Diphtheria_and_ Pertussis_Vaccination

National Business Group on Health.(2011). Tetanus(Immunization)for Pregnant Women. Retrieved from http://www.businessgrouphealth.org/preventive/topics/tetanus.cfm#9

Department of Making Pregnancy Safer, World Health Organization.(2007), Standards of Maternal and Neonatal Care. Retrieved from http://whqlibdoc.who.int/hq/2007/a91272.pdf