Vaccinations in pregnancy

Pregnant women are offered up to three vaccinations in pregnancy (depending on the time of year) to protect themselves and their baby.

Influenza vaccine

Influenza (flu) vaccinations are given in autumn when there is more of the virus circulating. Pregnant women can get a flu jab from their GP, pharmacy or hospital antenatal appointments, at any time in pregnancy.

Flu in pregnancy can be dangerous for mother and baby. During pregnancy, the immune system is weakened which makes it more difficult to fight infections, increasing the risk of complications and admission to hospital. Death rates from flu are higher in pregnant women than the general population.

There is also good evidence that if a mother catches flu when she is pregnant, it can affect her unborn baby. Babies born to women who have had flu during pregnancy are up to four times more likely to be born prematurely and have a low birth weight. Flu in pregnancy can lead to stillbirth or death in the first week of life.

The flu vaccination reduces the risk of complications caused by the virus for mothers and babies.

Whooping cough vaccine

The whooping cough vaccination (also called pertussis) is offered to pregnant women from 16 weeks, often at their 20-week scan. The vaccine passes from mother to baby and protects them until they are old enough to be vaccinated at eight weeks. It is needed in every pregnancy so that each baby is protected. Women can get the vaccination at their GP surgery or when they attend antenatal clinic for their scan or appointment.

Whooping cough spreads easily and can cause pneumonia and brain damage. Almost all deaths from whooping cough occur in young babies before they have been vaccinated. There is no whooping cough-only vaccine, the vaccine given will also protect against diphtheria and tetanus.

RSV vaccine

The RSV vaccination was introduced in September 2024. This vaccination protects babies against Respiratory Syncytial Virus, a virus that causes respiratory infections affecting the lungs and airways. It often causes a mild cough and cold but, in some people, can trigger pneumonia or bronchiolitis. Infants under six months are at the highest risk and could be admitted to hospital.

The vaccine boosts the pregnant woman’s immune system to produce more antibodies against the virus. These antibodies then pass through the placenta to help protect the baby from the day they are born. RSV vaccination reduces the risk of severe bronchiolitis by 70% in the first six months of life. After this age, the risk of severe RSV is much lower.

Women need to be vaccinated in every pregnancy so that each baby is protected. Women can have this vaccination after 28 weeks of pregnancy by making an appointment with their maternity hospital or on request from their GP. Some babies at high-risk of getting RSV will also be offered the vaccination just after birth. The midwife will be able to provide more information.

Videos

With the help of local communities, videos in different languages have been created to help pregnant women understand what vaccinations are available, when and why they should have them.