Which type of vaccines is generally contraindicated during pregnancy?

• A. Live vaccines (e.g., MMR, Varicella)
• B. Inactivated vaccines
• C. Subunit vaccines
• D. Toxoid vaccines

Answer: (A)

During pregnancy, the safety of the fetus is a primary concern, so vaccines that contain live, replicating organisms are avoided. Live vaccines have the potential to transmit the vaccine strain to the fetus or cause infection in the mother, with possible consequences for fetal development, especially in early pregnancy. Because of that risk, they are generally contraindicated during pregnancy. In contrast, vaccines that are inactivated, subunit, or toxoid do not contain replicating organisms and cannot cause infection in the mother or fetus, making them safer choices to protect both mother and baby during pregnancy. For protection, clinicians often rely on non-live vaccines such as the inactivated influenza vaccine and the tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis toxoid-containing vaccine (Tdap) given during pregnancy. Postpartum, live vaccines can be considered if still needed.