Vaccines are an important part of preventive healthcare and help protect against serious illnesses. Recommendations may vary based on age, medical conditions, pregnancy status, travel, and other individual factors. The resources below provide current information about vaccines commonly discussed in women's healthcare, including vaccines recommended during pregnancy and vaccines that help prevent certain cancers and infectious diseases.
Several vaccines are recommended during pregnancy to help protect both you and your baby. Some antibodies produced after vaccination cross the placenta and provide protection during the first months of a baby's life, before the baby is old enough to receive certain vaccines directly. Recommendations may depend on gestational age and the time of year, so we'll review which vaccines are appropriate during your pregnancy.
The HPV vaccine helps prevent infections that can cause cervical cancer and several other cancers. Vaccination is routinely recommended during adolescence, but some adults who were not previously vaccinated or did not complete the series may also benefit. The vaccine prevents new HPV infections but does not treat an HPV infection that is already present.