It’s recommended that all pregnant women have the flu vaccine, whatever stage of pregnancy they’re at.
Why should pregnant women have the flu vaccine?
Is the flu vaccine safe in pregnancy?
When should I have it?
How do I get the flu vaccine?
If I had the flu jab last year, do I have to have it again now?
Will the flu jab give me flu?
Can I have the flu jab at the same time as the whooping cough vaccine?
Why should pregnant women have the flu vaccine?
There is good evidence that pregnant women have an increased risk of developing complications if they get flu, particularly from the H1N1 strain (swine flu). One of the most common complications of flu is bronchitis, a chest infection that can become serious and develop into pneumonia. Other complications are not common, but include:
If a pregnant woman is infected with flu this could mean the baby is born prematurely or has a low birthweight, and can even lead to stillbirth or death in the first week of life.
Is the flu vaccine safe in pregnancy?
Yes. Studies have shown that the flu vaccine can be given safely during any stage of pregnancy, from the first few weeks up to your expected due date. The vaccine doesn’t carry risks for either the mother or the baby. Studies have shown that women who have had the vaccine while pregnant pass some protection on to their babies, which lasts for the first few months of their lives.
The vaccine also poses no risk to women who are breastfeeding, or to their babies.
Flu is a common and very infectious illness spread by coughs and sneezes. Flu is not the same as a cold – it’s caused by a different group of viruses and flu symptoms tend to be more severe and last for longer.
When should I have it?
The flu vaccine is available from September until around January or February each year. Everyone who is eligible for the flu jab is advised to have it as soon as possible so that they’ll be protected by the time the flu viruses are circulating in the winter. However, if a woman finds out she is pregnant later on in the flu season, she should have the vaccine then if she hasn’t already had it.
How do I get the flu vaccine?
Contact your midwife or GP to find out where you can get the flu vaccine. It’s a good idea to get vaccinated as soon as possible after the vaccine becomes available in September. In some areas, midwives can give a flu vaccine at the antenatal clinic, while in others you will need an appointment at your GP practice.
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 that the flu (and the vaccine) this year may be different from last year. If you had the flu vaccine last year, either because you were pregnant or because you’re in a vulnerable group, you should have it again this year.
Will the flu jab give me flu?
No. The vaccine doesn’t contain any live viruses, so it can’t cause flu. Some people get a slight temperature and aching muscles for a couple of days afterwards, and you may feel a bit sore at the injection site.
Can I have the flu jab at the same time as the whooping cough vaccine?
Yes, you can have the flu jab when you get the whooping cough vaccine, but do not delay your flu jab so that you can have both at the same time.
Pregnant women are at risk of severe illness from flu at any stage of pregnancy, and should have the flu vaccine as soon as possible. You can't have the whooping cough vaccine until you are between 28 and 38 weeks pregnant.
It’s recommended that, for the time being, all pregnant women should get vaccinated against whooping cough (pertussis) when they are 28-38 weeks pregnant. This is a new recommendation, as there has been a sharp rise in the number of whooping cough cases in the UK. You can find out more about the whooping cough vaccine in pregnancy.
