Immunization is an important part of staying healthy. Make sure that your immunizations are up-to-date. Talk with your health care provider or contact your community or public health centre about the immunizations you need for your own health, your partner’s health and the health of your future baby.
Immunization protects against many preventable diseases. Vaccines help strengthen your immune system and build antibodies to help prevent diseases.
Getting immunized is much safer than getting the disease it prevents.
Before trying to get pregnant, check that your immunizations are up-to-date. This will give you the best possible protection throughout pregnancy.
Updating your immunizations before pregnancy is important because some vaccines can’t be given, or aren’t routinely given during pregnancy. Also, during pregnancy, your immune system is weaker so your body doesn’t reject the pregnancy. You’re at greater risk of infection while you’re pregnant so vaccines help protect you during this time.
During pregnancy there’s a higher risk of severe infections for the pregnant person. There’s also risk of infections that harm the growth and health of the developing baby. For example, a person who gets German measles (rubella) in the first 20 weeks of pregnancy has a higher risk of miscarriage or having a baby with a serious disability.
A pregnant person with chickenpox (varicella) can also have more severe disease and pass it on to their baby before birth. The baby can then be born with low birth weight, and eye, skin, limb and brain problems. If the pregnant person is contagious with chickenpox 5 days before to 2 days after their baby is born, the baby can get a very severe infection.
Vaccines have important benefits for everyone. If you haven’t had all of your immunizations, it is never too late for you to catch up. This goes for family members too. It’s just as important for them to be protected- for their health and to help protect you and the pregnancy.
To learn more about immunization before and during pregnancy and for your family members visit AHS Immunization.
The vaccines you need as an adult depend on your age, overall health, pregnancy status, job, and travel plans.
Your needs also depend on who you are in close contact with and which vaccines you had in the past
Some vaccines protect for life, while others need to be repeated (boosted) after a certain period of time.
Examples of vaccines that need repeating are:
Other vaccines may also be recommended.
People who could become pregnant should check with their health care provider to make sure they’re protected against rubella (German measles) and varicella (chickenpox).
Talk with your health care provider about your needs and your medical history. It’s important to be up-to-date with all routine immunizations.
Make an appointment at the community or public health centre closest to you. Use the find Community Health Centres search tool or call Health Link at 811 to find the centre nearest you.
For recommended immunizations, see the Alberta Health Services adult immunization schedule.
Immunization records are available to anyone immunized in Alberta. They are available electronically for those age 14 years and older by registering for MyHealth Records
If you had your immunizations in other provinces, you can contact the health authorities in those provinces for a copy of your records.
If you were immunized in another country, try contacting the health care provider or health authorities where you were immunized.
If you have been immunized you pass on some protection to your developing baby during pregnancy.
Antibodies (proteins in the blood that help the immune system find and destroy bacteria or viruses) are developed through immunization (proteins in the blood that help the immune system find and destroy bacteria or viruses) and are passed to the developing baby through the placenta. Most of the transfer of these antibodies occurs during the third trimester.
This protection lasts the baby’s first few months of life. Immunity from you declines during the first year of life.
You’re also protected from becoming sick with diseases that could harm your baby if you become sick during pregnancy. These include chickenpox (varicella) and German measles (rubella). Vaccines are the best way to protect against these types of diseases.
Talk with your health care provider about keeping your immunizations up-to-date.
Some vaccines are recommended during pregnancy. The yearly influenza (flu) vaccine is one that is recommended. In Alberta, dTap vaccine is also recommended during each pregnancy. It is usually given between 27 and 32 weeks.
Other immunizations may be advised during pregnancy. It will depend on your health and the level of risk to you and /or the baby.
A health care provider will discuss the benefits and risks if other vaccines are needed.
Live virus vaccines such as the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine and the varicella (chickenpox) vaccine are not routinely given during pregnancy.
Talk with your health care provider before you start trying to become pregnant. They will tell you which immunizations you may need before or during pregnancy. Staying up-to-date on your immunizations will protect your health and your baby’s health.
Yes, vaccines used in Canada are very safe. Getting immunized is much safer than getting the disease.
In Canada, vaccines must go through strict testing before they are approved for use.
Health Canada carefully oversees how vaccines are produced. Vaccines go through detailed tests and quality checks.
Health care providers follow strict methods to make sure the vaccine is given in a safe and effective way. They will also make sure that they have your consent and that you understand the benefits and side effects of the immunization.
After you get immunized, you may have some redness, swelling or pain where the needle was given. This shouldn’t last long (1-3 days).
Severe allergic reactions to immunizations are rare. If you notice anything that isn’t right for you after an immunization, contact your health care provider.
COVID-19 vaccines protect against the SARS-CoV-2 virus (also known as COVID-19). The virus causes an infection in the lungs. In some cases, it can also cause problems with other body organs.
The COVID-19 vaccine lowers your chance of being very sick from COVID-19 and spreading the virus to others. Although the vaccine will not prevent all spread, it lowers the risk of severe outcomes such as being in the hospital or death. Immunization is the best way to protect yourself and others.
Yes, COVID-19 vaccine can be given when you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy.
COVID-19 immunization lowers the risk of becoming very sick from the virus and problems like preterm birth. When you’re pregnant, you have a higher risk of
Research shows that mRNA COVID-19 vaccines are the safest types of COVID-19 vaccines to get during pregnancy. Talk with your health care provider about other COVID-19 vaccine options if you don’t want an mRNA vaccine. Besides helping you, if you get the vaccine, it will help the baby. It will help protect your baby from COVID-19 in their first six months.
Research has shown that COVID-19 vaccine does not make it harder to become pregnant. Nor does it increase the risk of miscarriage.
Mpox (previously called monkeypox) is a rare illness caused by infection with the mpox virus. The virus is related to the smallpox virus but typically is less serious. Mpox spreads through close contact with someone who has it. It may also spread if you have contact with bedding, sheets, or clothing that touches the rash and has the virus on it. The virus enters the body through broken skin or your eyes, nose, or mouth.
Most people recover on their own in a few weeks. However, some may need to be admitted to hospital to get more care.
Mpox may look different in each person, but symptoms can include:
People with weak immune systems, children, or those who are pregnant may have a higher risk of getting very sick.
For updated information about mpox, how to treat or prevent it, and who can get the Mpox vaccine, see Mpox | Alberta Health Services, talk with your health care provider, call Health Link at 811, or visit Sexual and Reproductive Health.
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