Vaccinations in pregnancy
During pregnancy, your immune system (the body’s natural defence) changes to protect the pregnancy. This can mean you may be less able to fight off infections. That’s why some vaccinations are recommended during pregnancy to keep you and your baby safe.
Flu vaccine
The flu vaccination is recommended during the winter months because pregnant people may be more likely to get seriously ill and need to go to hospital. Having the flu vaccine means you’re less likely to get flu, or if you do catch flu, it is less likely to be severe. It’s safe to have the flu vaccination during any stage of pregnancy, from the first few weeks up to your expected due date.
Whooping cough vaccine
The whooping cough vaccination (also know as pertussis) is recommended in every pregnancy to keep you and your baby safe, as it provides very high levels of protection against serious whooping cough disease until your baby can have their own vaccination at 8 weeks of age. You will need to have the whooping cough vaccine in every pregnancy to boost the antibody you pass on to your baby. Vaccination is recommended between 16-32 weeks of pregnancy – it is usually given around the time of the 20-week scan. You should have the vaccine even if you have had it during a previous pregnancy.
