Quick answer: Review your vaccination record before trying to conceive because some vaccines are best given before pregnancy and may require a waiting period afterward. Others are recommended during pregnancy at specific times. Bring your records to a preconception visit and use current CDC and ACOG guidance with a healthcare professional rather than relying on memory or an old checklist.
Why review vaccines before pregnancy?
Pregnancy changes which vaccines are recommended and when they can be given. Certain infections can cause serious illness during pregnancy or affect a developing fetus. A preconception review creates time to locate records, confirm immunity when appropriate, receive vaccines that should not be given during pregnancy, and plan travel or work-related protection.
This is not a one-size-fits-all schedule. Age, previous doses, health conditions, occupation, travel, season, and current public-health guidance can all change the plan.
Step 1: Find your vaccination records
Start with your patient portal, primary-care office, pharmacy, school or employer records, previous obstetric records, and your state or local immunization information system. Written records are more useful than remembering that you “probably had” a vaccine. Bring what you find to a preconception visit.
If records cannot be located, a healthcare professional can determine whether a blood test, vaccination, or another approach is appropriate. Do not order tests or repeat doses solely from an online checklist.
Step 2: Ask specifically about MMR and varicella
The measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) and varicella vaccines are live vaccines and are not given during pregnancy. CDC and ACOG guidance advises receiving needed MMR or varicella vaccination before pregnancy and avoiding pregnancy for 28 days afterward. Your clinician can review documented doses, evidence of immunity, and personal risk.
If a live vaccine was given before you knew you were pregnant, contact your healthcare professional for individualized guidance. Do not make assumptions about pregnancy outcomes from general internet information.
Step 3: Know that timing differs during pregnancy
Some vaccines are recommended during pregnancy because they protect the pregnant person and can help protect the newborn. Current U.S. guidance includes:
- Influenza: an inactivated or recombinant flu vaccine can be given during pregnancy; the live nasal-spray vaccine is not used during pregnancy.
- Tdap: recommended during every pregnancy, generally between 27 and 36 weeks.
- COVID-19: recommendations can change by season, age, and risk; check the current CDC schedule.
- Maternal RSV vaccine: timing is seasonal and limited to a defined gestational window for eligible pregnancies under current guidance.
These details may change. The purpose of a preconception review is to prepare, not to self-schedule every future dose.
A practical timeline before trying to conceive
Three months or more before
- Gather records from clinics, pharmacies, schools, employers, and registries.
- List health conditions, allergies, medicines, and previous vaccine reactions.
- Discuss international travel, occupational exposure, or outbreak risks early.
At least one month before
- Complete any needed live vaccines such as MMR or varicella under professional guidance.
- Follow the recommended 28-day interval before trying to conceive after these vaccines.
- Keep an updated copy of the record.
Once pregnant
- Tell prenatal care providers about recent vaccines and provide records.
- Review the current influenza, COVID-19, Tdap, and RSV recommendations for your pregnancy and season.
- Ask before travel, especially when a destination has vaccine-preventable disease risks.
Travel and work can change the plan
International travel, healthcare work, laboratory work, childcare, military service, and exposure to certain animals or outbreaks may affect vaccine recommendations. CDC advises discussing international travel with a healthcare professional several weeks in advance. Some travel vaccines have limited pregnancy data, while others may be avoided or used only when exposure risk justifies them.
Bring destinations, dates, planned activities, and any underlying conditions to the appointment. A travel clinic may be useful for complex itineraries.
What partners and household members should review
Partners and close household members can also check whether they are up to date on routinely recommended vaccines. Their schedule is based on their own age, health, travel, and vaccination history. This shared review can be included in a broader preconception checklist.
Questions to bring to a preconception visit
- Are my records complete, and do they show evidence of immunity where needed?
- Do I need MMR or varicella vaccination before trying to conceive?
- How long should I wait after any vaccine before trying?
- Do my job, health conditions, medicines, or travel plans change the schedule?
- Which vaccines are recommended later during pregnancy?
- Where should I store an updated record that all my clinicians can access?
Vaccines are one part of preparation. Review medicines, supplements, health conditions, and folic acid at the same visit. Our folic acid guide explains another time-sensitive preconception step.
Frequently asked questions
Which vaccines should be completed before pregnancy?
The answer depends on your records and risk. MMR and varicella deserve specific review because they are not given during pregnancy. A clinician can confirm whether you need them or another vaccine before trying.
How long should I wait after MMR or varicella vaccination?
Current CDC and ACOG guidance recommends avoiding pregnancy for 28 days after these live vaccines. Follow the instructions from the clinician who reviewed your history.
Can vaccines be given during pregnancy?
Yes, some are recommended during pregnancy, while live vaccines such as MMR and varicella are contraindicated. Timing matters, so use the current maternal immunization schedule with your prenatal care team.
Do I need to restart a vaccine series if doses were years apart?
Many vaccine series do not need to be restarted, but rules differ. Bring documented dates to a clinician or pharmacist who can apply the current CDC schedule.
Should I delay pregnancy for every vaccine?
No. Waiting recommendations depend on the vaccine. Do not apply the 28-day live-vaccine interval to every immunization.
Sources reviewed
- CDC: Vaccine Recommendations Before, During, and After Pregnancy
- CDC: Guidelines for Vaccinating Pregnant Women
- CDC: Planning for Pregnancy
- ACOG: 2026 Maternal Immunization Schedule
- ACOG: Good Health Before Pregnancy
Reviewed October 2, 2026. Vaccine guidance changes over time. This article is educational and does not replace individualized medical advice or the current CDC schedule.
Visit the AGO Learning Center for more responsible preconception education.