Vaccines help protect pregnant women and their babies from serious diseases. Two immunizations are recommended for women during pregnancy: influenza and Tdap (tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis). When a pregnant woman is vaccinated, they share the immunity they develop with their child. This transfer of protection from mom to baby helps the newborn fight against influenza and pertussis diseases for the first six months of their lives. This is important because newborns are at the greatest risk of complications from pertussis and haven’t yet had the chance to build their own immunity. Flu vaccine is the best way to protect pregnant women and their babies from the flu and prevent possible flu-associated pregnancy complications.
The Oregon Health Authority has immunization rates for women in Oregon who delivered their babies in 2017. In 2017, only 69% of women received a Tdap immunization, and 46% received an influenza immunization.
Maternal Immunization Rates by County (pdf) Maternal Immunization Toolkit