Vaccinations During Pregnancy

Throughout your pregnancy you will be offered a number of vaccinations. Pertussis (whopping cough) & RSV are offered year round and given with each pregnancy. Flu & Covid-19 are offered on annual basis during the Winter months.

At Salisbury Hospital you are able to receive these vaccines throughout your pregnancy in the Antenatal Clinic waiting area, from Monday to Friday 08:00 – 16:00. No appointment necessary, just walk in. If you have any questions then please discuss them with your community midwife.

RSV

The RSV vaccine helps protect against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). RSV is a common cause of coughs and colds. Most people get it several times during their life. It usually gets better by itself, but in some people (especially babies and pregnant women) it can cause illnesses.

• You should be offered the RSV vaccine around the time of your 28-week antenatal appointment.
• Getting vaccinated as soon as possible from 28 weeks will provide the best protection for your baby. But the vaccine can be given later if needed, including up until you go into labour.
• Speak to your maternity service or GP surgery if you're 28 weeks pregnant or more and have not been offered the vaccine.
• Studies have shown that having the vaccine during pregnancy is much safer than the risk of our baby getting RSV.
• Many thousands of pregnant women have now had the RSV vaccine around the world.

Pertussis (whooping cough) also spreads easily through coughing and sneezing and can cause serious health problems. Young babies with whooping cough often become very unwell & will often be admitted to hospital. Vaccination is the best defence against whooping cough and should be given between 16 to 32 weeks gestation. Find out more about whooping cough here: https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/keeping-well/whooping-cough-vaccination/

Covid-19 vaccine is important in pregnancy. You are at higher risk of getting seriously ill from COVID-19 if you’re pregnant, later on in your pregnancy, your baby could also be at risk. It is safe to have the vaccine during any stage of pregnancy. There is no evidence COVID-19 vaccination increases the risk of having a miscarriage, pre-term birth or other complications in your pregnancy.

Flu 

If you are pregnant, you can get your flu vaccine now from the Antenatal Clinic Area at Salisbury District Hospital, no appointment needed.

Pregnancy alters how your body handles infections such as flu and RSV. Flu infection increases the chances of you and your baby needing intensive care.

All pregnant women should have a flu vaccine to protect themselves and their babies. You can have the flu vaccine at any stage of pregnancy, from conception onwards.

Why have the flu vaccination?

• reduce your risk of serious complications such as pneumonia, particularly in the later stages of pregnancy
• reduce the risk of you or baby needing intensive care
• reduce the risk of the baby being stillborn or premature
• help protect your baby who will continue to have some immunity to flu during the first few months of its life
• reduce the chance of you passing infection to her new baby
• If you are pregnant and have flu symptoms you should talk to your doctor urgently, because if you do have flu there is a prescribed medicine that might help (or reduce the risk of complications), but it needs to be taken as soon as possible after the symptoms appear
• You can also get the free flu vaccine from your GP, or it may also be available from your pharmacist or midwife.