Having jabs during pregnancy

Getting vaccinated during pregnancy against four common respiratory illnesses can help protect both you and your baby from complications.

Having flu while pregnant can be serious, but there are things you can do to protect yourself and your baby. 

Getting the flu jab during pregnancy is recommended by the NHS to help protect you and your baby from the flu. When you get vaccinated, some of your protection is passed to your baby, which helps keep them safe for the first few months after birth.

Whooping cough is a very contagious illness that can be dangerous for babies. It causes long bursts of coughing and choking, making it hard to breathe.

Getting vaccinated while you're pregnant is a safe way to protect your baby. Babies cannot be vaccinated until they are 8 weeks or older. But if you get vaccinated while you're pregnant, your body produces antibodies to whooping cough which are passed through the placenta to your baby. Your baby then has some protection against whooping cough when they're born. The best time to get vaccinated is from 16 weeks of pregnancy up to 32 weeks. But it can still help to get vaccinated after 32 weeks up until your labour, though it won't be as effective in protecting your baby.

Other vaccines in pregnancy

You may be offered other vaccines during pregnancy if you have a weakened immune system. Speak to your midwife or GP.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) can be very serious for babies, especially those born very premature, babies with heart or breathing problems or those with low immunity. Getting vaccinated for RSV during pregnancy means that the protection you get from the vaccine passes through the placenta to your baby. The best time to get vaccinated is around 28 weeks. You can still have the jab later in pregnancy but it may be less effective. If you haven’t been offered the vaccine, please contact your midwife or GP.