TY - JOUR T1 - Routine vaccinations during pregnancy: an update JF - British Journal of General Practice JO - Br J Gen Pract SP - 142 LP - 143 DO - 10.3399/bjgp20X708089 VL - 70 IS - 692 AU - Christopher R Wilcox AU - Rebecca Rowe AU - Deborah C Mobley AU - Merlin Willcox AU - Christine E Jones Y1 - 2020/03/01 UR - http://bjgp.org/content/70/692/142.abstract N2 - Antenatal vaccination is usually delivered in primary care, yet a recent survey highlighted that many UK GPs are not confident discussing vaccination with pregnant women, and would value concise guidelines.1Antenatal vaccination boosts maternal antibody levels and therefore the amount of antibody transferred to the fetus.Pertussis (whooping cough)Recommendation: between 16–32 weeks of gestationThe UK antenatal pertussis vaccination programme was introduced following the 2012 pertussis outbreak, when >9000 individuals were infected and 14 infants died.2 Although numbers of cases have since reduced, rates of pertussis remain significantly higher than prior to 2012. A similar trend has been observed globally, and at least 14 countries have implemented similar recommendations.2Pertussis disproportionately affects young infants, who have the highest rates of disease, and are at highest risk of severe disease and death. Most cases occur in early childhood before completion of primary immunisation, and therefore antenatal vaccination provides effective protection during this ‘window-period’ of … ER -