Immunization Awareness Month: Pregnancy and vaccines

National Immunization Awareness Month is a reminder that we all need vaccines throughout our lives.

During pregnancy, you are often thinking about baby names, nursery colors, and prenatal vitamins, but you should also be thinking about vaccines. Vaccines during pregnancy not only protect you against diseases, but you can also begin to pass some protection to your baby that’ll last the first few months of life.

The two vaccines that are routinely recommended by doctors and midwives during your pregnancy are the pertussis or whooping cough vaccine (Tdap) and the flu vaccine.

To celebrate the importance of immunizations for a healthy start and throughout our lives – and to make sure everyone is protected with all the vaccines they need – the Crook County Health Department is joining with partners nationwide in recognizing August as National Immunization Awareness Month.

“Getting a flu shot is the best way to protect a pregnant woman from the flu and prevent serious flu-related problems, such as premature labor and delivery. And when you get a whooping vaccine, or Tdap, during each pregnancy, you’ll pass some antibodies that will help protect your baby for the first months of life,” said Mindy Stomner, RN, Immunization Coordinator with the Crook County
Health Department.

“That’s when babies are most vulnerable to the devastating complications associated with whooping cough. I encourage pregnant women to talk to their ob-gyns or midwives about these important vaccines.”

You can find out more about the vaccines recommended during pregnancy at www.cdc.gov/vaccines or by talking to your doctor or midwife, or calling the Crook County Health Department, 375 NW Beaver Street, Suite 100, Prineville. 541-447-5165.

Here’s the Health Department’s weekly schedule:
Mondays No Appointment needed – Walk-in 8:30am-11:30am; 1:00pm-4:00pm
Wednesdays Make an appointment – Morning and Afternoon
Fridays Make an appointment – Afternoon

Vaccines for Children program is also available. No child will be denied service for inability to pay. We also bill several private insurances.