Recommended Vaccines for Women

 

Hepatitis B: recommended for all women who have not been previously vaccinated. Hepatitis B is transmitted through blood and bodily fluids. It is also sexually transmitted.

• How it is given: 3 injections over 6 months

• Why it is important: Hepatitis B infection can lead to chronic liver disease such as liver cirrhosis and cancer.

 

Human Papillomavirus (HPV): recommended for boys and girls at ages 11-12 (can be given as early as age 9). Catch-up vaccine for women up to age 26 if not previously vaccinated.

• How vaccine is given: 3 injections given over 6 months

• Why it is important: protects against 4 types of the HPV virus. These HPV types cause 70% of cervical cancer and 90% of genital warts

 

Influenza: recommended yearly for protection against influenza

• Pregnancy: the influenza vaccine is very safe in pregnancy and recommended for all pregnant women. Pregnancy is considered high-risk for serious illness and even death from the flu. 

 

MMR (Measles/Mumps/Rubella): 2 doses of this vaccine are usually completed in childhood, however all pregnant women are screened for immunity to Rubella.

• Why it is important: women who are not immune to Rubella are at risk of complications during pregnancy. This infection can lead to miscarriage, preterm labor, and still birth. Infants can also be born with deafness, eye problems, heart and lung problems, and mental retardation.

• Pregnancy: if a woman is not immune to Rubella, she should receive an MMR vaccine after giving birth. The vaccine should never be given during pregnancy.

 

Tdap: routinely given to children at ages 11-12. Women who did not receive this vaccine as a preteen or teen should get one dose of Tdap.

• Why it is important: protects against tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough).

• Pregnancy: all pregnant women should get a Tdap booster during the third trimester of pregnancy to help protect the baby from whooping cough.

 

If you have questions about these vaccines, please don't hesitate to give us a call!

 

Contact our office:

Women’s Health

Telephone: 860-249-9625, Ext. 848

Fax: (860) 808-1536