Sure! Here’s the translation into American English:
Vaccination during pregnancy has become an increasingly relevant topic for maternal and child health. As expectant mothers are more vulnerable to infections like influenza, prevention through immunization is essential to avoid severe consequences. In particular, diseases like whooping cough and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) pose significant risks in the first months of life when the newborn’s immune system is not fully developed.
Maternal immunization acts as a first line of defense, providing the newborn with early protection against potentially life-threatening diseases. Whooping cough, for example, has raised concerns from the World Health Organization (WHO) and Spain’s Ministry of Health, which have urged vaccination during pregnancy as a key preventive measure.
On a global scale, RSV is responsible for approximately 100,000 deaths and over 3.6 million hospitalizations annually in infants and children under five years old, with a particularly alarming incidence in developing countries. It is in this demographic where more than half of the deaths occur among babies less than six months old.
On the occasion of World Obstetrics and Pregnant Women Day, the importance of maternal vaccination is emphasized as a vital strategy from the very beginning of life. During pregnancy, women take on the dual responsibility of caring for both their health and that of their baby. Starting in the second trimester, mothers begin transferring antibodies to the fetus through the placenta, thereby providing temporary protection that can be reinforced through breastfeeding.
José Chaves, medical director of Pfizer Spain, emphasizes the importance of this type of protection: “The neonatal stage is especially vulnerable. Any preventive measure is valuable, and maternal immunization allows the transfer of antibodies to the baby, providing passive protection from birth.”
Health authorities have identified three recommended vaccines for pregnant women: the flu vaccine, the COVID-19 vaccine, and the diphtheria, tetanus, and whooping cough vaccine. In particular, it is suggested to administer the whooping cough vaccine starting at week 27 of gestation to maximize the transfer of immunity to the newborn.
Additionally, WHO has proposed maternal vaccination against RSV during the third trimester of pregnancy as a way to provide initial defense against respiratory infections. In summary, vaccination during pregnancy represents a fundamental investment in the health of future generations, significantly contributing to the reduction of both mortality and morbidity in newborns.
Source: MiMub in Spanish