The flu jab in pregnancy

It's recommended that all pregnant women have the flu vaccine, whatever stage of pregnancy
they're at. It's free for pregnant women.

Why are pregnant women advised to have the flu vaccine?

A flu jab will help protect both you and your baby.
There is good evidence that pregnant women have a higher chance of developing
complications if they get flu, particularly in the later stages of pregnancy.
Pregnancy changes how the body responds to infections such as flu. Having flu increases the
chances of pregnant women and their babies needing intensive care.
One of the most common complications of flu is bronchitis, a chest infection that can become
serious and develop into pneumonia.
If you have flu while you're pregnant, it could cause your baby to be born prematurely or
have a low birthweight, and may even lead to stillbirth or death.

Is the flu vaccine safe in pregnancy?

Yes. Studies have shown that it's safe to have a flu vaccine during any stage of pregnancy,
from the first few weeks up to your expected due date.
Women who have had a flu vaccine while pregnant also pass some protection on to their
babies, which lasts for the first few months of their lives.

When should I have the flu jab?

As the risk of influenza is high throughout pregnancy, you can have the flu vaccine anytime
during pregnancy, but the sooner the better

If I had the flu jab last year, do I need to have it again

now?
Yes, because the viruses that cause flu change every year. This means the flu strains the
vaccines are designed to prevent this year may be different from last year. The protection
from a flu vaccine also goes down with time.

Can I have the flu jab at the same time as the whooping
cough vaccine?
Yes, you can have a flu vaccine at the same time as the whooping cough vaccine, but do
not delay your flu jab so you can have both at the same time.
Pregnant women are at risk of severe illness from flu at any stage of pregnancy, so you need
to have a flu vaccine as soon as possible.
Whooping cough vaccination in
pregnancy

Why are pregnant women advised to have the DTaP

vaccine?
Getting vaccinated while you're pregnant is highly effective in protecting your baby from
developing whooping cough in the first few weeks of their life.
The immunity you get from the vaccine will pass to your baby through the placenta and
provide passive protection for them until they are old enough to be routinely vaccinated
against whooping cough at 6 weeks old.

When should I have the DTaP vaccine?

The best time to get vaccinated to protect your baby from whooping cough is from 16 weeks
up to 32 weeks of pregnancy. This maximises the chance that your baby will be
protected from birth, through the transfer of your antibodies before he or she is born.
If for any reason you miss having the vaccine, you can still have it up until you go into
labour. However, this is not ideal, as your baby is less likely to get protection from you

Is the DTaP vaccine safe in pregnancy?

Yes, it is safe in pregnancy

Is DTaP vaccination in pregnancy working?

Yes, it is. Published research shows that vaccinating pregnant women against whooping
cough has been highly effective in protecting young babies until they can have their first
vaccination when they are 6 weeks old.
An additional benefit is that the protection the mother receives from the vaccination will
lower her own risk of infection and of passing whooping cough on to her baby.

What are the side effects of the DTaP vaccine?

After having the whooping cough vaccine, you may have some mild side effects such as
swelling, redness or tenderness where the vaccine is injected in your upper arm. Other side
effects can include a high temperature, irritation at the injection site, nausea and loss of
appetite, tiredness and headache. Serious side effects are extremely rare.

Should I be concerned about whooping cough?

Whooping cough is a highly infectious, serious illness that can lead to pneumonia and brain
damage, particularly in young babies. Most babies with whooping cough will need hospital
treatment, and when whooping cough is very severe they may die.
Research from the vaccination programme shows that vaccinating pregnant women against
whooping cough has been highly effective in protecting young babies until they can receive
their own vaccinations from 6 weeks of age.

But are babies not vaccinated against whooping cough to

protect them?
Yes, they are, but the babies that have been getting whooping cough are generally too young
to have started their normal vaccinations, so they are not protected against the condition.

So, how can I protect my baby against whooping cough?

The only way you can help protect your baby from getting whooping cough in their first few
weeks after birth is by having the DTaP vaccination yourself while you are pregnant.

Can I have the DTaP vaccine at the same time as the flu
vaccine?
Yes, you can have the whooping cough vaccine when you get the flu vaccine

I was vaccinated against whooping cough as a child, do I

need to get vaccinated again?
Yes, because any protection you may have had through either having whooping cough or
being vaccinated when you were young is likely to have worn off and will not provide
sufficient protection for your baby.

I was vaccinated against whooping cough in a previous

pregnancy, do I need to be vaccinated again?
Yes, you should get re-vaccinated from 16 weeks in each pregnancy to maximise protection
for your baby.