Pregnant women get vaccinated in order to prevent influenza and pertussis, recommends Dr. Ellen Schwartzbard, Obstetrician & Gynecologist at Baptist Health South Florida, who adds that when the woman gets vaccinated, she’s passing immunity on to her baby and the baby is going to be born with protection.

Pertussis and Influenza are two of many illness that women can get because the immune system, during pregnancy, gets suppressed, she explains. Pertussis causes whooping cough.

The specialist adds that mild flu can become very serious and pregnant women could end up in the hospital due to Influenza.

She thinks it is important to do whatever it can be done in order to decrease the risk.