RSV
Available from 28 weeks of pregnancy, the RSV vaccination helps prevent lung infections like bronchiolitis that leave 20,000 infants needing hospital treatment each year.
Most children catch RSV in the first two years of their lives, but because it usually only causes mild, cold-like symptoms, many people are unaware of it. However, for some it can lead to severe lung infections like pneumonia and infant bronchiolitis that make it difficult for young babies to breathe.
Vaccination
If you are pregnant, you should be offered the RSV vaccine around the time of your 28-week antenatal appointment.
Getting vaccinated as soon as possible from 28 weeks will provide the best protection for your baby. But the vaccine can be given later if needed, including up until you go into labour.
Speak to your maternity service or GP surgery if you're 28 weeks pregnant or more and have not been offered the vaccine.
Flu
Flu can be serious. On average more than 11,000 people die each year from the flu and many more are hospitalised.
Flu season usually peaks in December and January. Vaccinations help protect those at risk during the colder months when people gather indoors, and viruses spread.
The NHS recommended that all pregnant women have the flu vaccine, whatever stage of pregnancy they're at. Vaccinations are free for pregnant women.
Book a vaccination
You can have a flu vaccine at the same time as other pregnancy vaccinations, but it's best to have them as soon as they're offered rather than waiting to have them at the same time.
You should have your:
- flu vaccine as soon as possible when it becomes available (usually from September)
- whooping cough vaccine at around 20 weeks pregnant
- RSV vaccine from 28 weeks pregnant
COVID-19
It's strongly recommended that you get vaccinated against COVID-19 if you're pregnant or breastfeeding.
If you're pregnant, it's important to get vaccinated to protect you and your baby. The antibodies your body produces in response to the vaccine can also give your baby protection against COVID-19.
You're at higher risk of getting seriously ill from COVID-19 if you're pregnant. If you get COVID-19 late in your pregnancy, your baby could also be at risk.
How to get the COVID-19 vaccine
If you're eligible for the winter COVID-19 vaccine, you can:
- book a COVID-19 vaccination appointment online
- in the NHS App – you need to book your vaccination before 20 December 2024
- go to a walk-in COVID-19 vaccination site
Some people may be able to get vaccinated through a local service, such as a community pharmacy or your GP surgery, or a care home if they live in a care home.
You do not need to wait for an invitation before booking an appointment.
Safe at any stage of pregnancy
Evidence shows that most pregnant women with COVID-19 who need hospital treatment or intensive care in the UK have not been vaccinated.
It's safe to have the vaccine during any stage of pregnancy, from the first few weeks up to your expected due date. You do not need to delay vaccination until after you have given birth.
Getting vaccinated against COVID-19 reduces the risk of having a stillbirth. There is no evidence COVID-19 vaccination increases the risk of having a miscarriage, pre-term birth or other complications in your pregnancy.
The COVID-19 vaccines do not contain any live viruses and cannot give you or your baby COVID-19. They have been widely used during pregnancy in other countries and there have been no safety concerns. In the UK, over 100,000 pregnant women have been vaccinated.