Trending
'Tis the season, and Payton Robbins, a registered nurse who is expecting her first child shortly, declares that "vaccines have been a topic of conversation lately in both my personal and professional lives. Part of my job as a school nurse entails ensuring that my students are up to date with their current vaccinations for both their protection and the protection of other students who are unable to get vaccinated or are immunocompromised. In my personal life, I have received several vaccinations recently to ensure not only my health as an expectant mother, but the health of my baby as well."
In that regard, Dr. Rebecca Russell, a certified nurse midwife in the Williamsport area, shares the following medical information about healthy pregnancies and protecting infants from infectious diseases: "Getting vaccinated during pregnancy provides efficient ways to reduce the risk of illness in the moms and infants. Tdap, flu, RSV (Abrysvo TM), and COVID-19 are four of the recommended vaccinations to get during pregnancy. They are recommended by the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecologists and approved by the FDA."
She goes on to explain that "pertussis (also called 'whooping cough') is a contagious disease that presents with coughing and shortness of breath. This can be serious in babies less than a year old. Getting the Tdap vaccination during pregnancy weeks 27 to 36 helps your body to make antibodies against pertussis. Those antibodies are passed on to the fetus, which protects your baby until they can get their own vaccination at two months of age. The Tdap vaccine is safe and effective. It is typically offered at your OB/GYN office, from a primary care provider, or at local pharmacies."
Regarding COVID-19, Dr. Russell warns that it "is a virus that can sometimes cause serious illness and hospitalization. There is a higher chance of developing severe COVID-19 illness while pregnant. The COVID-19 vaccines tell your body to make antibodies, which lower the chances of you and your baby getting sick with the virus. Having COVID-19 during pregnancy can increase the risk of preterm delivery, stillbirth, or your baby being smaller than average. You can get a COVID-19 vaccine at any point during your pregnancy. Numerous studies show that this vaccine, typically available at local pharmacies, is safe during pregnancy."
Prenatal patients need protection from two more respiratory viruses, according to Russell. "The flu shot can prevent influenza, which is worse than a bad cold. As with COVID-19, pregnant women are more likely to get serious complications from flu infections because of their lowered immune systems during pregnancy. There is increased risk of preterm labor if you do get a severe influenza infection. It is best to get the flu vaccine early in the flu season, at any time during your pregnancy. This vaccine also works by telling your body to make antibodies against the flu. There is also some protection given to the baby when you get vaccinated while pregnant. This vaccine is typically offered at your OB/GYN office, from a primary care provider, or at local pharmacies."
Finally, pregnancy care providers worry about respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and Dr. Russell states that "RSV is a dangerous virus for babies and young children, which often can lead to hospitalization. A vaccine called Abrysvo TM is newly available this year for pregnant people who are between 32 weeks and 36 weeks gestation during September through January. Babies born at least two weeks after a mom's RSV vaccination have been found to have protection at birth. This is when the risk of severe disease is the highest. Getting this vaccination during pregnancy can prevent your baby from needing the RSV immunization after it is born and also prevents your baby from getting RSV. Call your OB/GYN office or primary care provider to find out where this is available."
Expectant mom Payton Robbins likes knowing that she is already doing what she can to keep her baby safe. She understands and says that "newborns are not able to get vaccinated right after birth, so my getting these vaccines before birth is essential for my baby's health outside the womb." This is true "for Tdap, the flu shot, RSV, and the COVID-19 vaccine, especially during cold and flu season. This is why I chose to get vaccinated and get the new COVID-19 shot this season," Payton adds, in full agreement with Dr. Russell.
Payton Robbins, BSN, CSN, an area resident, attended Pennsylvania State University where she holds degrees in nursing and biobehavioral health. Payton worked in the inpatient hospital setting for three years prior to making the switch to school nursing and obtaining her school nurse certificate at Eastern University. Rebecca Russell, DNP, CNM, a certified nurse midwife, practices in Lycoming County. She holds a doctor of nurse practitioner degree from the Frontier School of Midwifery & Family Nursing, with master of science and bachelor of science degrees in nursing from the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine and Pennsylvania State University, respectively.