Pregnancy & Household Immunization Reference
Evidence-based immunization schedule to maximize transplacental IgG transfer to the infant before birth, paired with household cocooning strategies for partners and grandparents.
Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria, Acellular Pertussis)
Maximizes maternal anti-pertussis IgG production and transplacental transfer via neonatal Fc receptors, providing high circulating antibody levels in the newborn before their first primary vaccine at 2 months of age.
Manitoba Health publicly funds Tdap for all pregnant individuals in the province at 27-32 weeks.
Cocooning strategy: Partners, grandparents, and household contacts should ensure they have received a pertussis booster within the last 10 years at least 2 weeks prior to newborn contact.
Inactivated Influenza Vaccine (Flu Shot)
Pregnancy-induced altered cell-mediated immunity and cardiopulmonary strain markedly increase risks of maternal ICU admission, pneumonia, and preterm delivery from influenza. Transplacental antibodies protect infant for first 6 months.
Manitoba Health universal seasonal influenza immunization program provides free vaccination through clinics, pharmacies, and public health units.
Partners and household contacts must receive annual seasonal flu vaccine to reduce household viral introduction.
COVID-19 mRNA Vaccine
Pregnant women with symptomatic COVID-19 have significantly increased rates of ICU admission, mechanical ventilation, preeclampsia, and stillbirth compared to non-pregnant age-matched controls.
Available free of charge across Manitoba through public health and primary care providers.
Partners and family members should stay up-to-date with current seasonal formulations.
RSV Vaccine (Abrysvo) vs Monoclonal (Beyfortus / Nirsevimab)
RSV is the leading cause of hospitalization in Canadian infants under 1 year. Maternal bivalent protein subunit vaccine (Abrysvo) stimulates protective IgG antibodies transferred across the placenta.
Manitoba Health RSV infant prevention program provides seasonal guidance and hospital nursery access for high-risk and newborn populations.
Strict hand hygiene, avoidance of symptomatic visitors during the winter viral season.
MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) & Varicella
Live-attenuated vaccines carry a theoretical risk of fetal viral infection and congenital rubella syndrome.
Manitoba public health and postpartum hospital wards administer MMR/Varicella prior to postpartum discharge for non-immune mothers.
Verify partner and older children are fully immunized against measles and varicella to maintain household herd immunity.
Hepatitis B Vaccine & Neonatal Post-Exposure Prophylaxis
Inactivated recombinant subunit vaccine contains HBsAg. Safe during pregnancy for individuals at elevated risk of HBV exposure. For infants of HBsAg-positive mothers, administration of Hepatitis B Immune Globulin (HBIG) PLUS Hepatitis B vaccine within 12 hours of birth is 95% effective at preventing perinatal chronic vertical transmission.
Manitoba Health universal prenatal testing protocol ensures prompt hospital notification; Cadham Provincial Lab flags HBsAg-positive results directly to delivering obstetric units and pediatric nursery.
If maternal HBsAg is positive, partner and all household contacts must undergo serologic testing (HBsAg and anti-HBs) and receive the 3-dose vaccine series if non-immune.
Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (Pneu-C-15 / Pneu-C-20)
Streptococcus pneumoniae is a leading cause of severe bacteremia, pneumonia, and acute otitis media in young infants. Conjugate polysaccharides coupled to CRM197 carrier protein induce robust T-dependent immune memory.
Part of the publicly funded Manitoba Routine Childhood Immunization Schedule, administered at 2, 4, and 12 months at primary care clinics and public health access centres.
Ensure older siblings are up to date on pneumococcal immunizations prior to baby's arrival to prevent pneumococcal shedding in household droplets.
Rotavirus Oral Vaccine (Rotarix / RotaTeq)
Live-attenuated oral vaccine replicating in the gut mucosal epithelium to confer IgA local and systemic neutralizing immunity against circulating rotavirus serotypes. Historically rotavirus was the number one cause of infant hospitalization for dehydration in Canada.
Funded universally by Manitoba Health. Administered orally at 2 and 4 months infant checkups (sweet-tasting oral liquid drops; baby swallows willingly).
Practice thorough hand hygiene following diaper changes for 10-14 days post-vaccination, as small amounts of live-attenuated vaccine virus can shed transiently in infant stool.
Meningococcal Conjugate Vaccine (Men-C-ACYW / Men-B)
Meningococcal disease progresses with terrifying velocity (death can occur within 12 hours of petechial rash onset). Conjugate vaccines provide bactericidal antibody protection against outer capsular polysaccharides.
Universal infant Men-C-ACYW administered at 12-month well-baby visit across all regional health authorities in Manitoba.
Verify partner has received adolescent/young adult meningococcal boosters, especially if living in communal or high-density housing.
Human Papillomavirus 9-Valent Vaccine (Gardasil-9)
Recombinant L1 virus-like particle (VLP) vaccine. While accidental exposure during pregnancy has shown no increased risk of congenital anomalies or miscarriage in registry data, NACI recommends deferring remaining doses until postpartum as a precautionary measure. Fully compatible with lactation.
Available through primary care clinics and pharmacies. Women up to age 26 who missed the school-based Grade 6 program may be eligible for public or private coverage.
Partners up to age 45 who have not completed the 9-valent HPV series should consider vaccination to reduce HPV transmission, oropharyngeal, and penile cancer risks.