World Immunisation Week 2025 — How Maternal Vaccination Protects The Newborn Too

{By: Dr. Supriya Puranik}

The protection a baby receives starts even before birth. While pregnant, a mother does not only give her child food and shelter, she also provides much needed immunity which is the body’s defense mechanism. Immunity helps in protecting against any dangerous infections after the baby is born. Maternal vaccination is one of the easiest and best ways to improve immunity. Vaccines taken in the course of pregnancy helps the mother stay healthy and gets the baby ready to defend some infections during the first few months of life when his or her immune system is weak. This is crucial in the first few weeks after the delivery which is when babies are extremely prone to dangerous infections.

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How Maternal Vaccination Works

Antibodies are special proteins made by the body in response to vaccines. When expecting mothers are vaccinated, her body produces antibodies specific to the vaccine. In particular, IgG (Immunoglobulin G) antibodies are important during pregnancy. These IgG antibodies are capable of crossing the placenta, which is the tissue that links the mother and fetus, and enters the fetus’s blood circulation system. This placental transfer process is enhanced enhance further during the third trimester (after 28 weeks of pregnancy). By the time the baby is born, they already have a supply of protective antibodies, thanks to the mother’s vaccination. This is called passive immunity, because the baby receives it passively, without needing to produce antibodies on their own. These antibodies stay in the baby’s body for the first few months of life, giving them an early shield against diseases.

Why Newborns Need Extra Protection

After birth, babies do not have a fully developed immune system. Their body is still learning how to respond to infections and produce its own antibodies. Vaccines given directly to babies usually start after 6 weeks of age. Until then, they are highly vulnerable to infections like whooping cough (pertussis), influenza (flu), and tetanus, which can be very serious or even life-threatening in newborns. Maternal vaccination fills this gap by providing temporary protection during the early months, which is often referred to as the "immunity gap."

Vaccines Recommended During Pregnancy In India

Several vaccines are considered safe and are recommended for pregnant women in India. These are backed by national and international health authorities like the World Health Organization (WHO), the Ministry of Health in India, and professional bodies like FOGSI (Federation of Obstetric and Gynaecological Societies of India).

Tetanus, Diphtheria, And Pertussis (Tdap) Vaccine

  • Recommended Time: 27–36 weeks of pregnancy
  • Protects Against: Tetanus (nerve infection), Diphtheria (throat infection), Pertussis (whooping cough)
  • Benefits: Prevents life-threatening whooping cough in infants; reduces pertussis risk in babies by over 90%

Influenza (Flu) Vaccine

  • Recommended Time: Any trimester (preferably before flu season)
  • Protects Against: Influenza (seasonal flu)
  • Benefits: Prevents severe flu-related illness, hospitalisations, and complications like preterm labor and low birth weight

COVID-19 Vaccine (Covishield/Covaxin)

  • Recommended Time: After first trimester
  • Protects Against: COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2 virus)
  • Benefits: Reduces risk of severe illness and ICU admission; passes antibodies to the baby for early protection

Hepatitis B Vaccine

  • Recommended Time: Any time (for unvaccinated mothers)
  • Protects Against: Hepatitis B virus (liver infection)
  • Benefits: Prevents mother-to-child transmission; reduces long-term liver disease risk in the baby

How These Vaccines Help the Baby

Vaccines during pregnancy help reduce newborn deaths and severe illnesses. For example, global studies have shown that maternal Tdap vaccination leads to fewer hospital admissions for newborns due to whooping cough. The flu vaccine lowers the chances of early labor, low birth weight, and serious illness in both the mother and baby. COVID-19 vaccines have also been shown to reduce pregnancy complications and help build early immunity in the baby.

Overcoming Misunderstandings About Vaccine Safety

Some families hesitate to take vaccines during pregnancy because of old myths or misinformation. Many believe that vaccines can cause miscarriage or harm the unborn baby. These fears are not supported by scientific evidence. In fact, vaccines like Tdap, flu, and COVID-19 have been safely given to lakhs of pregnant women worldwide with no link to birth defects or pregnancy loss. It is important for healthcare providers to talk openly with families, answer questions, and encourage vaccination as part of normal antenatal care.

Breastfeeding Continues The Protection

The protection doesn’t stop at birth. Mothers who are vaccinated pass even more antibodies to their babies through breast milk. These antibodies, especially IgA (Immunoglobulin A), help protect the baby’s lungs and intestines from infections. This is especially important for viruses like flu and COVID-19, which attack the respiratory system. So, breastfeeding acts like a natural booster shot for the baby in the first few months.

Vaccines given during pregnancy are one of the simplest and most effective ways to protect both mothers and babies. By passing on antibodies from the womb to the baby, vaccines provide critical early protection when it’s needed the most. As India continues to work towards healthier mothers and children through programs like Mission Indradhanush, maternal vaccination should be seen not just as a medical recommendation, but as a promise — a promise of a safer, stronger start to life.

The author, Dr. Supriya Puranik, is the Director – Obstetrics, Gynaecology and IVF at Sahyadri Hospitals MomStory, Shivajinagar, Pune

[Disclaimer: The information provided in the article, including treatment suggestions shared by doctors, is intended for general informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.]

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