14 DAY TRIAL // Scientists with the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI) say that newborn infants may be less likely to develop allergies if their mothers get a vaccine during pregnancy. The findings apply to would-be mothers that have been diagnosed with allergies.
Expecting mothers already get the flu shot and Tdap vaccine, but the new research suggests that an additional vaccination may go a long way towards ensuring that newborns do not develop allergies.
This positive effect is due to the fact that mothers can pass on protective factors to the fetus in their womb as it develops. This makes the little ones less susceptible to allergic diseases, and increases their overall immunity level, e! Science News reports.
“More research is needed to understand if mothers can truly prevent allergies in their children by receiving allergy shots during or before pregnancy. However, these study results show there is a strong association which is very encouraging as allergists explore this possibility,” says ACAAI member, allergist Jay Lieberman.