Immunisation and Pregnancy in Grand Rapids, Michigan

Staying up to date with vaccines is one of the safest and most effective ways to protect yourself and your baby before, during, and after pregnancy. In Grand Rapids, MI, pregnant patients can access immunisation services through major health systems such as Corewell Health (formerly Spectrum Health), Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health – University of Michigan Health, and Mercy Health, as well as local clinics and the Kent County Health Department.

Cold Michigan winters and our long respiratory virus season (fall through early spring) make vaccines like influenza, COVID‑19, whooping cough (pertussis), and RSV especially important for pregnant women in the Grand Rapids area.

Why Immunisation Matters in Pregnancy

Some infectious diseases can cause serious complications for pregnant women and their unborn babies, including:

  • Severe illness in the mother (higher risk of hospitalisation and intensive care)
  • Miscarriage or stillbirth
  • Preterm birth and low birth weight
  • Birth defects (affecting the baby’s brain, heart, eyes, ears, skin, or limbs)
  • Infection passed from mother to baby during pregnancy or delivery

Most vaccines have been studied extensively in pregnancy and are considered safe and effective when recommended by your healthcare provider. Serious allergic reactions are rare.

If you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant in Grand Rapids, talk with your OB‑GYN, midwife, or primary care provider about which vaccines are recommended for you.

Key Infections of Concern in Pregnancy

COVID‑19 and Pregnancy

Pregnant women have a higher risk of severe COVID‑19 compared with non‑pregnant women, including:

  • Increased risk of hospitalisation and ICU admission
  • Higher risk of complications such as pneumonia and blood clots
  • Increased risk of preterm birth and other pregnancy complications

COVID‑19 infection can also affect the unborn baby. Current CDC and American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) guidance supports COVID‑19 vaccination for women who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or trying to conceive.

In Grand Rapids, COVID‑19 vaccines are available through:

  • Corewell Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, Mercy Health
  • Pharmacies (Meijer, Walgreens, CVS, Rite Aid)
  • Kent County Health Department clinics

Check the Kent County Health Department or Grand Rapids Public Health websites for current vaccine locations and eligibility.

Rubella (German Measles)

If a woman becomes infected with rubella during pregnancy, especially in the first trimester, it can:

  • Cause serious birth defects (brain, heart, eyes, ears)
  • Increase the risk of miscarriage and stillbirth

Protection is usually provided by the MMR vaccine (measles, mumps, rubella).
Important: MMR is a live vaccine and is not given during pregnancy. It should be given before pregnancy, and you should avoid becoming pregnant for at least one month after receiving it.

Chickenpox (Varicella)

Chickenpox infection during pregnancy can:

  • Increase the risk of birth defects (brain, eyes, skin, limbs)
  • Cause serious illness in the mother, including pneumonia
  • Increase the risk of miscarriage, premature birth, or stillbirth

The varicella vaccine is also a live vaccine and should be given before pregnancy, not during. Avoid pregnancy for at least one month after vaccination.

Measles and Mumps

Measles and mumps can both cause serious illness and pregnancy complications, including:

  • High fever and severe respiratory symptoms (measles)
  • Swollen glands and fever (mumps)
  • Increased risk of miscarriage and preterm birth

Protection is also provided by the MMR vaccine, which should be up to date before pregnancy.

Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B is a virus that affects the liver. If you become infected during pregnancy:

  • You may develop acute hepatitis B infection
  • You can pass the virus to your baby during birth
  • Both you and your baby may become chronic “carriers” of hepatitis B, which increases the risk of liver disease and liver cancer later in life

A simple blood test can check your immunity. If you are not protected, your doctor may recommend the hepatitis B vaccine before or after pregnancy. Babies born to mothers with hepatitis B receive special treatment at birth to reduce infection risk.

Influenza (Flu)

Michigan’s long, cold winters and fluctuating temperatures mean flu season in Grand Rapids typically runs from fall through early spring. Pregnant women are at higher risk of serious flu complications, including:

  • Pneumonia
  • Hospitalisation
  • Worsening of existing medical conditions (like asthma or heart disease)

Flu during pregnancy can also:

  • Increase the risk of premature birth
  • Lead to serious illness in the newborn

The influenza vaccine is recommended during any trimester of pregnancy and is considered safe. It is usually given once every flu season.

Whooping Cough (Pertussis)

Whooping cough is a highly contagious respiratory infection. It can be life‑threatening for newborns, especially in the first months of life before they can be fully vaccinated.

To protect your baby, experts recommend the whooping cough combination vaccine (dTpa) during every pregnancy.

  • What it protects against:

    • Whooping cough (pertussis)
    • Diphtheria
    • Tetanus

  • When it is recommended:

    • Best between 20 and 32 weeks of pregnancy
    • Can be given up until delivery if needed

In the U.S., this is often called the Tdap vaccine. Having Tdap in pregnancy helps your body make antibodies that pass to your baby and protect them in the first months of life.

RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus)

RSV is very common and spreads easily, especially during the colder months in Michigan. Almost all children catch RSV at least once by age 2.

In infants, RSV can cause:

  • Bronchiolitis (infection of the small airways in the lungs)
  • Pneumonia (lung infection)
  • Croup (infection of the voice box and windpipe)

RSV is a leading cause of hospitalisation in infants under 6 months, even in otherwise healthy babies. Because Grand Rapids experiences long indoor seasons and high circulation of respiratory viruses, RSV is a particular concern.

There are now RSV immunisation options for:

  • Pregnant women (to pass antibodies to the baby before birth), and/or
  • Infants directly, depending on current guidelines and product availability

Advice about repeat RSV immunisation in subsequent pregnancies is still evolving. Your OB‑GYN or pediatrician in Grand Rapids will provide recommendations as more data becomes available.

Immunisation Before Pregnancy

If you are planning to have a baby, try to get up to date with your routine vaccines before you become pregnant. This is especially important for vaccines that cannot be given during pregnancy, such as MMR and varicella.

Steps to take:

  1. Schedule a pre‑pregnancy check‑up

    • See your GP or OB‑GYN at Corewell Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, Mercy Health, or a local clinic.

  2. Have a blood test to check your immunity

    • Your doctor may check for immunity to:
      • Rubella
      • Measles
      • Varicella (chickenpox)
      • Hepatitis B

  3. Ask about catch‑up vaccines if you are not up to date.

  4. Avoid getting pregnant for at least one month after receiving:

    • MMR vaccine (measles, mumps, rubella)
    • Varicella (chickenpox) vaccine

Being fully immunised before pregnancy:

  • Reduces your risk of serious illness
  • Lowers the chance of birth defects and pregnancy complications
  • Helps protect your future baby

Immunisation During Pregnancy

Some vaccines are specifically recommended during pregnancy because they protect both you and your baby.

Influenza Vaccine (Flu Shot)

  • Recommended during any trimester of pregnancy
  • Given once per flu season
  • Protects you from serious flu complications
  • Helps protect your baby in the first months of life through transferred antibodies

Whooping Cough (Tdap / dTpa)

  • Recommended between 20 and 32 weeks of each pregnancy
  • Can be given up to delivery if needed
  • Protects your newborn from whooping cough until they can be vaccinated

RSV Immunisation

  • May be recommended during late pregnancy (for example, 28–36 weeks) to protect your newborn in the first RSV season
  • Recommendations are evolving; ask your Grand Rapids provider about current guidance

COVID‑19 Vaccine

  • Can be given if you are:
    • Pregnant
    • Breastfeeding
    • Trying to become pregnant
  • Reduces your risk of severe COVID‑19 and pregnancy complications
  • May provide some protection to your baby through antibodies

Your healthcare provider will review your medical history, previous vaccines, and current pregnancy to determine which vaccines are right for you.

Immunisation After Pregnancy (Postpartum)

If you did not get all recommended vaccines before or during pregnancy, you can still catch up after your baby is born.

  • It is safe to be vaccinated while breastfeeding.
  • Postpartum vaccines help protect:
    • You (from infections that can make caring for a newborn difficult)
    • Your baby (by reducing the chance you bring infections home)

After pregnancy, your doctor may recommend:

  • MMR (if you were not immune to measles, mumps, or rubella)
  • Varicella (if you were not immune to chickenpox)
  • Hepatitis B (if you are at risk and not fully vaccinated)
  • COVID‑19 boosters, flu shots, or Tdap if needed

How Vaccines Protect Your Baby

When you are vaccinated during pregnancy:

  • Your body produces antibodies (protective proteins that fight infection).
  • These antibodies cross the placenta to your baby, especially in the third trimester.
  • Your baby receives passive immunity that helps protect them in the first months of life, when they are too young to receive some vaccines themselves.

There is no evidence that recommended vaccines such as flu, Tdap, or COVID‑19 vaccines harm unborn babies. Instead, they significantly reduce the risk of serious illness for both mother and child.

Reducing Infection Risk During Pregnancy

In addition to immunisation, you can reduce your risk of infections by:

  • Avoiding close contact with people who are sick
  • Washing your hands regularly with soap and water or using hand sanitizer
  • Avoiding unnecessary international travel, especially to areas with outbreaks
  • Keeping your home environment smoke‑free, which helps protect your lungs and your baby
  • Staying away from individuals known to have measles, chickenpox, or other contagious diseases if you are not immune

Ask everyone living in your household, including partners and older children, to be up to date with their own vaccines. This reduces the chance of them bringing infections home to you and your newborn.

HALO: How Your Personal Situation Affects Your Vaccine Needs

Your immunisation needs are influenced by:

  • H – Health (chronic conditions like diabetes, asthma, heart disease, immune problems)
  • A – Age (younger vs. older mothers may have different vaccine histories)
  • L – Lifestyle (travel, smoking, living in group settings, exposure to young children)
  • O – Occupation (healthcare workers, teachers, childcare workers, etc.)

Together, these factors are referred to as HALO.

Discuss your HALO with your Grand Rapids healthcare provider to determine:

  • Which vaccines you need
  • When you should receive them (before, during, or after pregnancy)
  • Whether you need additional protection because of your job or medical conditions

Childhood Immunisation in Grand Rapids

Once your baby is born, routine childhood immunisations are highly recommended to protect against serious diseases that can cause disability or death.

In Grand Rapids, you can access childhood vaccines through:

  • Pediatric clinics at Corewell Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, Mercy Health
  • The Kent County Health Department
  • Community health centers and family medicine practices

Check the CDC’s recommended immunisation schedule and discuss it with your baby’s pediatrician.

Local Resources for Immunisation in Grand Rapids, MI

If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning a pregnancy in the Grand Rapids area, you can get information and vaccines from:

  • Your GP, OB‑GYN, or midwife
  • Emergency Department of your nearest hospital (for urgent concerns)
  • Urgent Care Clinics (for non‑life‑threatening issues when your doctor is unavailable)
  • Kent County Health Department – for immunisation clinics, low‑cost vaccines, and public health information
  • Grand Rapids Public Health resources and community clinics
  • Local pharmacies (for flu, COVID‑19, and some adult vaccines)

In a medical emergency, always call 911.

For general health advice, many Grand Rapids health systems offer nurse advice lines and virtual care services. Check your provider’s website (Corewell Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, Mercy Health) for 24/7 nurse call numbers and online appointment options.

Key Points for Pregnant Women in Grand Rapids

  • COVID‑19, influenza, whooping cough, RSV, rubella, chickenpox, measles, mumps, and hepatitis B can be particularly harmful during pregnancy.
  • Flu, Tdap (whooping cough), COVID‑19, and RSV (when recommended) are safe and effective in pregnancy and help protect both you and your baby.
  • MMR and varicella vaccines must be given before pregnancy; avoid pregnancy for at least one month after these vaccines.
  • Getting up to date on vaccines before pregnancy and following recommendations during and after pregnancy reduces the risk of:
    • Miscarriage
    • Stillbirth
    • Preterm birth
    • Birth defects
    • Severe illness in mother and baby
  • Use your HALO (Health, Age, Lifestyle, Occupation) to guide which vaccines you may need.
  • Take advantage of local Grand Rapids resources, including major hospital systems and the Kent County Health Department, to stay protected.

Always discuss your specific situation with your healthcare provider in Grand Rapids to create a personalised immunisation plan that keeps you and your baby as safe and healthy as possible.