Immunity for health

Immunity for Health Annual Event 2026

2 Dec 2026 | RodeBol Events

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Wednesday, 2 December 2026 | 13:45 - 15:00

Session 2: Vaccination during pregnancy

13:45 Maternal - Neonatal Immunity: balancing passive protection and active immunity across species, Prof. dr. Bert Devriendt, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, UGhent

This presentation will compare the mechanisms used by different species to transfer maternal immunity to offspring.  It will focus on how this passive immunity provides protection during early life and interferes with neonatal immunisations. 

14:05 Vaccination during Pregnancy: from Off-Label use to Tailored Protection - Kirsten Maertens, Assistant Professor, Centre for the Evaluation of Vaccination, University of Antwerp

Maternal vaccination has grown from cautious, often off-label use into a proven way to protect mothers and newborns against influenza, pertussis and RSV. This talk looks at what we know about immune responses during pregnancy and antibody transfer to the infant, and how that knowledge can guide vaccination strategies specifically for pregnant women.

14:25 Safety of vaccination during pregnancy - Dr. Larissa De Brabandere, MD, PhD

An overview of the evidence concerning the safety of vaccines administered during pregnancy, i.e. vaccines against pertussis, flu, COVID-19 and RSV. 

14:45 Q&A

3 speakers

  • Medical doctor, PhD

    University of Antwerp

  • professor in immunology

    Ghent University - provaxs

  • Assistant Professor

    University of Antwerp