Abstract

With the effects of certain chemical agents and rubella in mind, most authorities advise caution in the use of all vaccines during pregnancy and especially during the first trimester. The booklet issued by the Department of Health and Social Security¹ lists pregnancy as a contra-indication to rubella, smallpox and polio vaccinations, with certain provisions, and the manufacturers’ literature adds yellow fever vaccination. Pregnant women wishing to travel obviously pose a problem. Neither the doctor nor the patient may be aware of an early pregnancy and this is always a hazard when vaccinating women and girls of childbearing age. However, apart from rubella and smallpox vaccinations, the risks are hypothetical.