Vaccinations during pregnancy

Which vaccinations do I need?

If you are pregnant, the NHS recommends you receive the following four vaccines:

COVID-19 vaccine

You can get the COVID-19 vaccine no matter your stage of pregnancy.

Flu vaccine

You can get the flu vaccine at any stage of pregnancy.

RSV (respiratory syncytial virus)

This is a new vaccine offered during pregnancy to protect your baby from becoming unwell before they receive their own. You should have this from 28 weeks onwards during your pregnancy. You will receive a text from one of our community nurses who will invite you to a clinic.

Children’s doctor Dr Lauren Filby tells us more about why the RSV vaccine is important:

Whooping cough

You should have this around the time of your mid-pregnancy scan (usually at 20 weeks pregnant), but you can have it from 16 weeks.

When will my baby have their vaccinations?

Protection from vaccines you receive while pregnant will protect your baby for a while but immunity will wear off, so it is important that your baby has their own vaccines at 8, 12 and 16 weeks of age for this to continue. Your GP will contact you with this appointment.

Why is it important for me and my baby to get vaccinated?

When you have vaccinations during pregnancy, you will pass protection (immunity) to your unborn baby which helps to protect them in their first few months of life. The vaccinations your baby has at 8, 12 and 16 weeks of age help to make sure this protection continues.

Listen to local midwife Katy who tells us more about why vaccinations for you and your baby are important:

Stories from local families

I chose to get vaccinated during pregnancy so I could pass the antibodies onto my daughter, to give her the best immune system and protection as soon as she had arrived.

Victoria (left)

I spoke to my midwife about the vaccines, and they gave me all the information I needed to make my decision.

Rose (right)

Find out more about vaccinations during pregnancy