Your midwife will discuss with you the below vaccinations that are strongly recommended and protect both you and your baby.
Flu
Influenza ('flu') is a highly infectious illness that is spread rapidly through coughs and sneezes. You will be offered the flu vaccine during your pregnancy as you and your baby are at greater risk of complications caused by flu, both during pregnancy and after birth, such as pneumonia, hospitalisation, premature labour, miscarriage and stillbirth.
The flu vaccine is available from October to February and is the most effective way of protecting you and your baby. It is safe to receive the vaccine at any stage of your pregnancy. It is not possible for the vaccine to give you flu because it is not a live vaccine.
For more information please click here.
Whooping cough
Whooping cough (pertussis) is a bacterial infection of the lungs and it can spread very easily. Young babies who get whooping cough are often very unwell and require admission to hospital.
Getting vaccinated while you are pregnant is highly effective in protecting your baby from developing whooping cough in the first few weeks of their life. The immunity you get from the vaccine will pass to your baby through the placenta and will provide passive protection until they are old enough to get vaccinated at 8 weeks old.
It is best to have the vaccination when you are between 16 and 32 weeks pregnant as this maximises the chance that your baby will be protected from birth.
For more information please click here.
Coronavirus (COVID-19)
If you're pregnant, you can have the coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine. You'll be invited when your age group are offered it or earlier if you have a health condition or reason that means you're eligible.
It's preferable for you to have the Pfizer/BioNTech or Moderna vaccine. This is because they've been more widely used during pregnancy in other countries and have not caused any safety issues.
When you're offered a vaccine, speak to your GP surgery to arrange an appointment. This is to make sure you go to a vaccination centre offering the preferred vaccine.
