Vaccination during pregnancy – your questions answered

Did you know that during pregnancy, your immune system is weakened? There are some infectious diseases that can cause serious harm to you and your unborn baby. These diseases can lead to pregnancy complications and poor health outcomes for your infant.

Vaccination is the best way to ensure the safety of both you and your baby during pregnancy and the early months after birth.

Below you’ll find answers to some common questions parents and carers have about immunisation. For more information, visit health.gov.au/childhood-immunisation. 

How does vaccination during pregnancy protect me and my baby?

Vaccines recommended during pregnancy contain inactive and safe forms of the disease. This makes antibodies that train the immune system to recognise and protect against infection. When you have a vaccine during pregnancy, the antibodies cross the placenta into your baby's blood to provide immunity by protecting your baby against the disease at birth and in the first few months of life. 
Vaccines reduce your chance of becoming sick from the disease, or if you do get the disease, the vaccine can reduce the severity of symptoms for you and your baby.

What vaccines should I get during pregnancy?

While you are pregnant, it is recommended you get the influenza and whooping cough vaccines. These are available for free through the National Immunisation Program (NIP). 
While influenza is common, it can be serious. If you get influenza during pregnancy, it can put you at a higher risk of complications and can lead to hospitalisation. Getting the flu vaccine during pregnancy protects you and your baby for their first 6 months when they are most vulnerable.

Whooping cough is a serious disease, especially for babies. If you get the whooping cough vaccine during pregnancy, this protects your baby until they are old enough for their first immunisations.

When should I get my maternal vaccines?

You can get the flu vaccine at any stage of your pregnancy but it’s best to get it before the flu season starts (typically April to September).
If you have recently had the flu vaccine before pregnancy, speak with your health professional.
The whooping cough vaccine is recommended between 20 and 32 weeks of each pregnancy for the best protection against the disease.

If you have had the whooping cough vaccine before pregnancy, it’s still recommended to get another vaccination as the antigens pass through to your baby during each pregnancy.

What vaccines should my partner and family get?

It’s recommended that everyone over the age of 6 months has a flu vaccination every year. So, if not already immunised, your partner and family members can get vaccinated against influenza, ideally at least 2 weeks before the baby is born.

Adult household contacts and carers of babies younger than 6 months are recommended to get a whooping cough vaccine if their last dose was 10 or more years ago. They should get vaccinated at least 2 weeks before they have close contact with the baby.

What vaccines should my baby get?

You can see what vaccines are recommended at birth and during childhood by referring to the Childhood Immunisation Schedule under the National Immunisation Program (NIP). The Childhood Immunisation Schedule is a series of free vaccinations available for children aged 0 to 4 years to protect them against serious diseases.

The National Immunisation Program schedule outlines the routine childhood immunisations recommended for all children in Australia. Children can receive these vaccines for free as long as they are on a Medicare card or are eligible for one.
Some states and territories also offer free vaccines for additional groups not covered by the NIP.

Where can my child get vaccinated?

Babies and young children can get their vaccinations from their general practitioner, local immunisation clinics, community health centres, Aboriginal Medical Services and some councils.
Vaccinations offered at birth are usually given in hospital.

If you have any questions about the vaccination schedule, always talk to your health professional and visit health.gov.au/childhood-immunisation.