Vaccinations in pregnancy

Vaccines can help protect both you and your baby from vaccine-preventable diseases. During pregnancy, vaccinated mothers pass on infection-fighting proteins called antibodies to their babies. Antibodies provide some immunity (protection) against certain diseases during their first few months of life, when your baby is still too young to get vaccinated. It also helps provide important protection for you throughout your pregnancy.

COVID-19 vaccination

COVID-19 Vaccination and Pregnancy - Image 1 It is recommended that you receive the coronavirus vaccination as soon as you are able to, if you are over the age of 16 and:

Pregnant

Breastfeeding

Trying for a baby or may get pregnant in the future.

If you are pregnant the Pfizer/BioNTech or Moderna vaccine are the preferred and recommended choice as they have been widely used worldwide with few poor outcomes. If you have already had a first dose of the Oxford vaccine, without any side effects, please still go and receive the second dose. Having a vaccination does not give you or your unborn baby coronavirus.

If you are breastfeeding and aged over 40, you can have any of the coronavirus vaccines. If you are under the age of 40 and have no health conditions, it is recommended that you have the Pfizer/BioNTech or Moderna vaccine. Having a vaccination does not give you or your baby coronavirus.

If you are trying to get pregnant having a coronavirus vaccination has not proven to effect your chances of conceiving a baby.

You can book your vaccination online at Book or manage your coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination .

More information on the COVID-19 vaccination is linked to below:

Flu vaccination (seasonal)

Pregnant women have a higher chance of complications if they come down with influenza, and it can cause your baby to be born prematurely or have a low birth weight, and in some cases may even lead to stillbirth.

It is safe for you to have the flu vaccine any time during pregnancy or whilst breastfeeding (this will be within the months of September to March). For more information, click here.

If you are pregnant and think you may have flu please contact your GP as soon as possible.

Whooping cough (Pertussis)

Whooping cough is particularly dangerous for newborn babies before they have their first course of infant vaccinations. It is highly infectious and can be caught from siblings and other children easily.

However, if you have a vaccination during pregnancy you can protect your baby during their first weeks of life because the immunity you receive from the vaccination passes through the placenta. Ideally you should have the vaccination between 16 and 32 weeks of pregnancy for it to be most effective, but it is safe at any time. Even after you have given birth having the vaccination may protect you from whooping cough and hence prevent you from passing it on to your baby. For more information, click here.