It is currently recommended that all pregnant women have flu and whooping cough vaccinations during pregnancy. Ask your midwife or your GP’s practice nurse about this early in pregnancy. If you are travelling, please see the information on travel safety.
Do you have an appointment for a vaccination?
Please make sure you keep it.
Vaccinations protect against serious illnesses now and in the future, so it’s really important to keep up to date with jabs for you and your family.This is particularly important if you are pregnant or have small children.You should attend your appointments as normal, as long as you don’t have symptoms of COVID-19 and you are not self-isolating.If you are worried or have any questions please call your GP practice.
Flu vaccine
The flu vaccine is available in winter every year and is safe at every stage of pregnancy. The flu vaccine is recommended because catching flu when pregnant can cause serious complications for both you and your baby.
Whooping cough vaccine
The whooping cough vaccine is recommended for all pregnant women and can be given between 16 and 38 weeks of pregnancy. Ideally women should have the vaccination between 16 and 32 weeks of pregnancy as this best ensures the vaccine has sufficient time to provide immunity to your baby. Whooping cough in young babies can cause pneumonia and brain damage, therefore having a booster vaccine during pregnancy will help protect your baby.For more information about the vaccination programme during pregnancy and immunisation in early childhood in the United Kingdom download the MatImms app. The app enables you to set reminders adjusted to your due date and then actual date of birth.
It is currently recommended that all pregnant women have flu and whooping cough vaccinations during pregnancy. Ask your midwife or your GP’s practice nurse about this early in pregnancy. If you are travelling, please see the information on travel safety.