Some vaccinations, such as flu and whooping cough, are recommended during pregnancy to protect you and the health of your baby.
For more information look at the sections below. Further information is available at the NHS UK website.
Whooping cough
Whooping cough is a very serios infection and young babies are most at risk. Most babies with whooping cough will be admitted to hospital.
When you have the whooping cough vaccination in pregnancy, your body produces antibodies to protect against whooping cough. These antibodies pass to your baby giving them some protection until they are able to have their own whooping cough vaccination at 8 weeks old.
Find out more about the whooping cough vaccination in pregnancy.
Flu
During pregnancy your immune system (the body’s natural defence) is weakened to protect the pregnancy. This can mean you are less able to fight off infections. As the baby grows you may be unable to breathe as deeply, increasing the risk of infections such as pneumonia.
These changes can raise the risk from flu – pregnant women are more likely to get flu complications that women who are not pregnant and are more likely to be admitted to hospital. Having the flu vaccine means you’re less likely to get flu.
Covid
If you’re pregnant, or think you might be, it’s strongly recommended you get vaccinated again Covid-19 to protect you and your baby.
You’re at higher risk of getting seriously ill from Covid-19 if you’re pregnant. If you get Covid-19 late in your pregnancy, your baby could also be at risk.
It is safe to have the vaccine during any stage of pregnancy, from the first few weeks up until your expected due date. You do not need to delay vaccination until after you have given birth.
The Covid-19 vaccines do not contain any live viruses and cannot give you or your baby Covid-19.