(Family Features) Fall brings cooler days and more time indoors. This makes it easier for viruses like influenza (flu), COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) to spread. These illnesses can be especially risky for pregnant people and newborns.
Getting vaccinated for flu, COVID-19 and RSV during your pregnancy lets you pass protection to your baby. Your immunity helps keep them from getting very sick from one of these viruses in their first few months of life. Vaccines for flu and COVID-19 also protect expectant parents from serious symptoms.
Pregnant people are more likely to need medical care or hospitalization for flu and COVID-19 than people their age who are not pregnant, according to the Risk Less. Do More. Public Education Campaign.
“It makes sense that people are very careful about the health choices they make during pregnancy,” said Manisha Patel, MD, MS, MBA, Chief Medical Officer of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases. “The good news is that flu and COVID-19 vaccines are the best way to protect you and your baby against serious disease. RSV vaccines cut by more than half the risk of your baby being hospitalized for severe RSV disease, the leading cause of hospitalization for infants in the United States.
” Here are some key facts about pregnancy and vaccination: Getting vaccinated protects you during and after pregnancy. Common respiratory viruses can be dangerous for people who are pregnant or have recently been pregnant. Th.