Find out about immunisation for women who are pregnant or planning a pregnancy.
Before pregnancy: If you plan to have a baby, make sure you’re up to date with your regular vaccines before becoming pregnant. To do this:
- Schedule an appointment with your doctor.
- Your doctor might run a blood test to check if you’re immune to certain diseases like rubella, chickenpox, and hepatitis B. This helps determine if you need any vaccines.
During pregnancy: Some diseases can harm pregnant women and their babies. While you’re pregnant, you can get the influenza and whooping cough vaccines for free through the National Immunisation Program:
Influenza vaccine:
- It’s recommended for all pregnant women, regardless of the pregnancy stage.
- Protects you and your baby from the flu, which can be especially dangerous during pregnancy.
- When pregnant, your immune system weakens, making you more susceptible to the flu.
- Influenza can lead to serious complications and even hospitalization.
- Since babies under 6 months can’t get the flu vaccine, getting it during pregnancy is the best way to protect your newborn.
Learn more about the influenza vaccine.
Whooping cough (pertussis) vaccine:
- Recommended between 20 and 32 weeks of pregnancy (can be given up to delivery).
- The best way to safeguard your baby from whooping cough, a potentially deadly disease.
- When you’re vaccinated, your antibodies pass to your developing baby, providing some protection until they can receive their first immunizations at six weeks of age.
Discover more about the whooping cough vaccine.
This information is accurate at the time of publication. Please, see your GP if you have any concerns.
