Vaccinations for pregnant women
To protect themselves and their unborn baby, women are invited to receive additional vaccinations during pregnancy.
These vaccines are safe for pregnant women and will support your health and wellbeing – and the health and wellbeing of your child – while you are pregnant.
If you have any questions about vaccinations during pregnancy, please contact your community midwife.
Pertussis (whooping cough) vaccine
To help protect newborn infants from whooping cough until they are old enough to receive routine immunisations at eight weeks, all expectant mothers are offered pertussis vaccination from week 16 of their pregnancy.
Pregnant women usually receive their pertussis vaccine at their GP surgery as part of their health checks during pregnancy.
If you have any questions about your pertussis vaccine, please contact your community midwife.
Your RSV vaccine
Respiratory syncytial virus affects the chest and lungs, and can cause very serious illness for young children
From September 2024, an RSV vaccine will be offered to all women who are 28 or more weeks pregnant. This vaccine will help to protect your newborn baby from RSV when they at their most vulnerable to the virus.
Flu and COVID-19 vaccines
Pregnant women are eligible for a free NHS seasonal flu vaccine each autumn. This vaccine helps to protect you from flu and common infections linked to flu during your baby's development, and also protects other vulnerable members of your family and wider community.
Pregnant women usually receive their flu vaccine at their GP surgery as part of their health checks during pregnancy. You will normally be invited to attend an appointment at your surgery.
Pregnant women may also be invited for COVID-19 booster vaccines. More information about COVID-19 vaccination in pregnancy, including frequently asked questions.
Please make sure you take up invitations to receive these vaccines to increase your protection against serious illness. If you have any questions about the vaccines, please contact your community midwife.
Vaccinations for work
Many workplaces ask employees to make sure they are fully up to date with routine vaccinations to reduce the risk of illness or disease.
Some employers ask workers to have additional vaccinations to increase their protection. Some higher-risk job roles may require further vaccinations.
Advice on which vaccinations are recommended for your job role is available from your employer or occupational health department.
Other vaccinations
People with a range of underlying health conditions or who are exposed to greater risk of illness may require additional vaccinations, or additional doses of some vaccinations, to protect them from becoming unwell.
Guidance and support for people with these underlying conditions or additional risk factors is available on a case by case basis from your GP surgery or specialist team.