Helpful to Your Baby and Studies Confirm it’s Safe

by Julie Dohr, MD

Numerous studies have looked at Tdap vaccination in pregnancy. This vaccine is given in your third trimester to help prevent pertussis in your baby after delivery. The vaccine boosts your immune system and those antibodies cross the placenta so the baby has them as a newborn.

Many people are worried about a relationship between autism and vaccines. A study was performed to follow babies who were born to moms who were vaccinated during pregnancy. This was a very large study – over 80,000 children were followed. After following the children up until age 6, the risk of autism was actually slightly less in the children whose moms were vaccinated.

We strongly recommend vaccinating against the flu and pertussis during your pregnancy. Ask us about it at your next visit.