ABSTRACT

Antepartum, intrapartum or postpartum immunization is modified by virtue of the fact that the risk-benefit balance must be modified to address possible fetal or neonatal adverse consequences. Unfortunately considerations and recommendations as to whether or not to immunize a gravida or potential gravida are often based upon uncontrolled observations or extrapolations from non-pregnant women. Vaccine induced immunity is distinct from passive immunity which is the result of the administration of pathogenspecific antibodies.