Shots For Adults: Protecting Newborns From Illness

Newborns are vulnerable to infections because their immune systems are not fully developed, and they are too young to receive protective vaccinations. It is therefore important that adults who will be in close contact with a newborn are fully vaccinated. The flu vaccine, the Tdap or DTaP vaccine, the COVID-19 vaccine, the MMR vaccine, the herpes zoster vaccine, and the pneumococcal vaccine are all recommended for adults who will be spending time with a newborn.

Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis)

Tetanus is a bacterial infection that affects the nervous system, causing painful muscle contractions and "lockjaw," where the neck and jaw muscles lock up. Diphtheria is a highly contagious bacterial infection that causes significant problems with swallowing and breathing. While tetanus and diphtheria are now rare in the United States, vaccination is still necessary to ensure they remain so.

Pertussis, on the other hand, is a highly contagious respiratory illness that continues to spread and is particularly dangerous for newborns. Also known as whooping cough, pertussis causes severe and violent coughing and can be life-threatening for babies. In fact, it is the most dangerous of the three illnesses for newborns. Half of all infants under one year who contract pertussis require hospitalization, and it can even result in death.

The DTaP vaccine is given to children from 2 months to 7 years old, but newborns are not fully vaccinated until around 6 months of age. This leaves them extremely vulnerable to infection in their first months of life. To protect newborns, it is recommended that anyone who will be in close contact with them receive the Tdap vaccine at least two weeks before meeting the baby. This allows the body to develop antibodies to protect against the disease.

Additionally, Tdap boosters are recommended every 10 years for continued protection. For pregnant people, the Tdap vaccine is typically given early in the third trimester to protect both the mother and the growing baby.

By ensuring that those around a newborn are vaccinated with Tdap, we can create a "cocoon" of protection, significantly lowering the risk of exposing babies to harmful germs and helping to keep them healthy and safe.

MMR (measles, mumps, rubella)

The MMR vaccine protects against measles, mumps, and rubella (German measles). It is recommended for all babies and young children, but older children and adults can also get the MMR vaccine if they did not receive it as a child, if they have only had one dose, or if they are unsure if they have been fully vaccinated.

Who should get the MMR vaccine?

The MMR vaccine is recommended for all babies and young children. Older children and adults can also get the MMR vaccine if they did not receive it as a child, if they have only had one dose, or if they are unsure if they have been fully vaccinated.

It is especially important to get the MMR vaccine if:

• You are a child, teenager, or young adult.
• You could become pregnant.
• You are travelling to, or living in, a country with a higher risk of measles, mumps, or rubella.
• You are a healthcare worker.
• You were born between 1970 and 1990, as you may not have been vaccinated against all three infections.

It is recommended that you get the MMR vaccine at least two weeks before coming into contact with a newborn. This will give your body enough time to develop antibodies to protect the newborn from these infections.

The number of MMR vaccine doses you need depends on your age and your risk of exposure to measles, mumps, and rubella.

Children should receive two doses of the MMR vaccine, with the first dose at 12 to 15 months of age and the second dose at 4 to 6 years of age. Children can receive the second dose earlier, as long as it is at least 28 days after the first dose.

Adults who do not have presumptive evidence of immunity should get at least one dose of the MMR vaccine. Certain adults may need two doses if they are going to be in a setting with a high risk of measles or mumps transmission. These adults include students at post-high school educational institutions, healthcare personnel, and international travellers.

The MMR vaccine is very effective at protecting people against measles, mumps, and rubella, and it can prevent the complications caused by these diseases. Most people who are vaccinated with the MMR vaccine will be protected for life.

One dose of the MMR vaccine is 93% effective against measles, 78% effective against mumps, and 97% effective against rubella. Two doses of the MMR vaccine are 97% effective against measles and 88% effective against mumps.

Like all medicines, the MMR vaccine can cause side effects, but not everyone will experience them. Common side effects are usually mild and only last 2 to 3 days. These can include a raised, blotchy rash (similar to a measles rash), feeling unwell, and a high temperature around 7 to 11 days after vaccination.

More serious side effects, such as a severe allergic reaction, are rare. The person administering the vaccine will be trained to deal with allergic reactions and treat them immediately.

Yes, the MMR vaccine is safe. Research has shown that there is no link between the MMR vaccine and autism.

The MMR vaccine is a live virus vaccine, which means it contains a weakened version of the measles, mumps, and rubella viruses. After injection, these weakened viruses cause a harmless infection in the vaccinated person with very few, if any, symptoms. The person's immune system then fights off the infection, and immunity to the viruses develops.

Measles, mumps, and rubella are serious diseases that can lead to complications such as meningitis, blindness, and hearing loss. These infections spread easily between people, and they can be very dangerous for newborns and pregnant people.

Newborns are very vulnerable to infections because their immune systems are not yet fully developed, and they are too young to receive protective vaccinations. By getting the MMR vaccine, you can help protect newborns and pregnant people from these potentially harmful infections.

Flu (influenza)

The flu vaccine is an important protective measure for adults to take when they will be spending time with a newborn. Flu vaccines are recommended for all adults and children over the age of 6 months. This is because children under 5 are at a higher risk of developing serious flu-related complications, such as pneumonia, dehydration, sinus problems, and ear infections, and in some cases, even death.

The flu vaccine is reformulated each year to protect against the strains of the influenza virus that are most likely to be prevalent that year. It is recommended that adults get the flu vaccine as soon as it is available, usually in September or October, and at least two weeks before meeting the baby. This is because it takes about two weeks to develop antibodies after vaccination.

Pregnant women are especially encouraged to get the flu vaccine, as the flu can cause worse complications during pregnancy. Additionally, the antibodies generated by the flu shot will circulate to the baby during pregnancy and protect the baby in early life. This is crucial as babies cannot get the flu shot until they are 6 months old, and there are limited treatment options if they become ill with the flu.

It is important to note that even if adults have received the flu vaccine in the past, they need to get a new one each year. This is because flu viruses change every year, and immunity from vaccination decreases after a year. Therefore, everyone needs a flu vaccine every season to stay protected.

By getting the flu vaccine, adults can help protect themselves and the newborn in their lives from the serious complications of the flu.

COVID-19

Newborns are vulnerable to infections and diseases as their immune systems are not fully developed. It is important that adults who will be in close contact with a newborn are fully vaccinated to protect the baby from potentially dangerous diseases.

The COVID-19 vaccine helps protect individuals from serious complications arising from a COVID infection and also helps prevent the spread of the virus. The CDC recommends that everyone aged 5 and above in the US get a COVID-19 vaccination. Boosters are available for everyone aged 18 and above.

It is recommended that adults get their COVID-19 vaccine or booster at least two weeks before coming into contact with a newborn. This is because it takes about two weeks for the body to develop antibodies after vaccination.

Even though babies and children generally experience less severe symptoms than older adults, they can still become very ill and be hospitalized with COVID. This is more likely if they have other conditions, such as congenital heart disease or asthma.

Some parents of newborns have chosen to only allow vaccinated persons to hold their baby. Others have allowed unvaccinated people to hold their baby outdoors while wearing a mask. Many parents have chosen to be cautious, especially with the emergence of new COVID-19 variants.

It is important to note that even if an adult has received a tetanus shot in the past 10 years, this does not mean they were vaccinated with Tdap, which is the only vaccine that protects against pertussis (whooping cough).

Pneumonia (pneumococcal)

Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs, and it is one of the most common diseases caused by pneumococcal bacteria. This bacterium is commonly found lining the surface of the nose and the back of the throat, and about 25 out of every 100 people are carriers of pneumococcus. While most adults have immunity to pneumococcus, newborns are vulnerable to infection.

The pneumococcal vaccine protects against bacteria that cause serious infections, such as ear infections, meningitis, blood infections, and pneumonia. The CDC recommends pneumococcal vaccination for children younger than 5 years and adults 50 years or older. They also recommend vaccination for children and adults at an increased risk of pneumococcal disease.

The pneumococcal vaccine is especially important for adults over 65, those with serious health problems, smokers, and those with spleen damage or removal. Adults over 65 should get one of each type of pneumococcal vaccine: the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) and the pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23). For most adults, they are given one year apart, beginning at or after 65 years of age.

It is recommended that adults get the pneumococcal vaccine at least two weeks before being in close contact with a newborn.

Frequently asked questions