Table 1. Protection against vaccination-preventable infections.
| Congenital viral syndromes | Rubella*1 Varicella*1 |
● Maternal antibodies/passive immunity due to: – Standard vaccinations for infants – Preconceptional vaccination of women of childbearing potential in case of gaps in the vaccination status |
| Chronic disease by vertical transmission | Hepatitis B | ● Standard vaccination of infants ● Catch-up vaccination up to age 17 years ● Preconceptional vaccination of adult women in risk groups*2 ● Vaccination in pregnancy, if required |
| Risk of severe maternal infection | Influenza Varicella*1 Measles*1 |
● Vaccination in pregnancy ● Standard vaccination of women during infancy ● Preconceptional vaccination of women of childbearing potential with gaps in the vaccination status |
| Risk to newborns from exposure to infections in their environment | Pertussis/influenza Measles*1 Pertussis (measles, influenza) |
● Vaccination in pregnancy ● Maternal antibodies/passive immunity due to: – Standard vaccinations of women during infancy – Preconceptional vaccination of women of childbearing potential ● Cocoon strategy/environment: – Indication vaccinations and closure of gaps in the vaccination status of household contacts |
*1 Live vaccination → robust immune response, long-term protection
*2 1. People in whom a severe course of hepatitis B is expected because of an existing or expected immune deficiency or suppression or due to an existing disease, e.g., patients infected with HIV and/or hepatitis C, dialysis patients
2. People with an increased non-occupational exposure risk, e.g., through contact with HBsAg carriers in the family/living community, through sexual behavior with high risk of infection, intravenous drug consumers, detainees and prisoners, potentially patients in psychiatric institutions (see Epidemiological Bulletin 34/2020. Tab. 2).