During
pregnancy there are some immunisations that are strongly recommended to protect both you and your unborn baby.
The immune system is weakened during pregnancy and illnesses are more likely to become serious.
All pregnant women are recommended to have the flu vaccine (in flu season), the RSV vaccine from 28 weeks pregnant and the whooping cough (pertussis) vaccine when you are between 16 and 32 weeks pregnant.
Your midwife will talk to you about this and any other vaccinations recommended for you. You can read more about the importance of these below.
Whooping Cough (Pertussis)
Whooping 
cough is very infectious. It causes long coughing and choking episodes. It lasts for 2 to 3 months. It is hard to catch your breath and that causes a ‘whooping’ sound. It is especially dangerous in the first year of life. It can cause brain damage and even death.
Pregnant people are offered the immunisation to protect themselves and their baby from week 16 of pregnancy. Even if you had the whooping cough immunisation as a child you should have it again to get your protection to the maximum level.
When you have the immunisation you pass the protective antibodies onto your baby. This will help to protect them until they can have their own vaccinations against whooping cough at 8 weeks old.
If you are more than 20 weeks pregnant and have not been offered the vaccine, talk to
your midwife or GP and make an appointment to get vaccinated.
Seasonal Flu
Flu is easily passed around and is more risky to pregnant women because of the weaker immune system. There is a higher risk of pneumonia because during later pregnancy, it is harder to take deep breaths to keep the lungs clear. Flu can be serious for unborn and new born babies; when mum’s protect themselves they protect their baby too.
The immunisation can be given at any time in pregnancy. It is available from September and through the winter months. It reduces the risk of complications if you do get flu.
From September 2024 all pregnant people will be offered the single dose Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) vaccination from 28 weeks as part of their antenatal care. The vaccination will reduce the risk of your baby having a severe bout of bronchiolitis by 70% in their first 6 months.
Please speak to your midwife or GP for more information.
Read more about RSV, Bronchiolitis and caring for your child if they are unwell
COVID-19
The risk from catching COVID-19 in pregnancy is much lower than it was at the start of the pandemic, but you are still eligible for vaccination in the autumn. The vaccine will reduce your chance of having serious COVID-19 for a few months, which may be more important if you have an underlying medical condition.
The antibodies that your body produces will be passed to your unborn baby and provide some protection to your baby in those early weeks and months.
Rubella (German Measles)
Rubella 
is very dangerous to unborn babies. ‘Congenital rubella syndrome’ can cause serious developmental problems for unborn babies and even death. It can cause sight, hearing and heart problems.
If you are planning to get pregnant you should check if you have had the rubella vaccination. You can contact your GP surgery who will check if you have had the two necessary injections to protect you. If you haven’t, or they cannot be sure, you will be offered the vaccination.
If you are already pregnant you cannot have this vaccination until after the baby is born. It will be offered to you at your 6 week postnatal check and the second dose a month later. Some pregnant women will be offered additional vaccinations in pregnancy.
Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B 
can cause long term liver damage. All babies are now offered hepatitis B protection alongside routine vaccinations.
If you are pregnant and are considered at a high risk of the virus you will be offered this in pregnancy, and your baby be offered early vaccination. You can talk to your midwife about this.
Tuberculosis (TB)
TB 
mostly affects the lungs but can affect other parts of the body. It can take a a long while to show after you have been infected. This means it is hard to know if you have spent time with someone infectious.
If you are planning a pregnancy you should check with your GP if you have been vaccinated in the past. You can then have the injections before you try to become pregnant.
You cannot have the vaccine if you are already pregnant. All babies who are considered at a higher risk of TB are offered the BCG vaccination after birth.
You are considered at a higher risk if you, your parents or grandparents have lived in a high risk area. Some of these areas are in the UK and some are abroad.
If you are unsure about whether your baby will need an early BCG vaccination – speak to your midwife or GP.
Rashes During Pregnancy
During your pregnancy you should take extra care if you think you may have come into contact with anyone with an infectious disease and / or if you have a rash.
You should get in touch with your GP or midwife for advice when you become aware of this. They will advise you on what, if anything you should do next.
Let the health professional you speak to know;
• How many weeks pregnant you are.
• What you think you may have been exposed to and when you last saw the person or noticed the rash.
• What the rash looks like.
• What illnesses you have been vaccinated for and which illnesses you have or have not had (e.g. Chicken pox, Measles).
If you feel worried and would like more advice you can speak to your midwife throughout your pregnancy and up to 28 days after the birth of your baby.
If you live in Norfolk
If you live in Suffolk
