Pregnancy is one of the most important times to look after your health, and vaccinations play a key role in keeping both you and your baby safe. During pregnancy, your immune system changes to support your growing baby, which can make you more vulnerable to infections.

Some illnesses, like influenza or whooping cough, can be much more serious during pregnancy and may even affect your unborn child. Getting vaccinated not only protects you but also helps protect your baby in those early months before they can be vaccinated themselves. The best part is that several vaccines are available free of charge through the National Immunisation Program (NIP).

Which Vaccines Are Recommended in Pregnancy?

In Australia, the following vaccines are recommended and provided free under the NIP:

• Influenza (Flu) Vaccine

The flu vaccine is recommended in every pregnancy and can be given at any stage. Pregnant women are more likely to experience severe illness, complications, and hospitalisation from influenza. Vaccination protects both you and your baby. If you receive the flu vaccine early in pregnancy and a new season’s vaccine becomes available, it’s safe and often encouraged to be vaccinated again during the same pregnancy to maximise protection.

• Whooping Cough (Pertussis) Vaccine

Whooping cough can be life-threatening for newborns. The dTpa vaccine (diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis) helps your body produce antibodies that are passed on to your baby before birth. It is best given between 20 and 32 weeks of pregnancy, although it can be given up until delivery if needed. Every pregnancy should include a booster, even if you were vaccinated before your current pregnancy.

• Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Vaccine

RSV is a common virus that can cause serious respiratory illness in babies. The maternal RSV vaccine is recommended between 28 and 36 weeks of pregnancy to help your baby build early protection against severe RSV disease. This vaccine is also provided free under the National Immunisation Program.

• COVID-19 Vaccine

COVID-19 vaccination continues to be recommended for pregnant women. If you haven’t received your initial doses, it’s best to complete the course during pregnancy. For those already vaccinated, additional doses aren’t routinely required but may be considered depending on your individual risk. Vaccination lowers the risk of severe illness, hospitalisation and preterm birth.

Why Vaccination Matters

Vaccination during pregnancy offers two levels of protection. First, it helps keep you well by reducing your risk of serious complications like pneumonia, preterm birth or low birth weight. Second, it helps your baby by passing protective antibodies through the placenta, giving them a strong start in life before they are old enough for their own immunisations.

These vaccines can safely be given together when needed, and every dose you receive is recorded on the Australian Immunisation Register to ensure your protection is up to date.

Recommendations from the Australian Immunisation Handbook

The Australian Immunisation Handbook confirms that the influenza vaccine can be safely given at any stage of pregnancy and should be repeated each pregnancy.

The whooping cough vaccine (dTpa) should ideally be given between 20 and 32 weeks, and the RSV vaccine between 28 and 36 weeks.

For COVID-19, women who have not completed their primary vaccination course are encouraged to do so during pregnancy, while those who are already vaccinated generally do not need extra doses unless specifically advised.

All these vaccines are safe, effective, and backed by decades of research.

Your Pharmacy Team Is Here to Help

At Lygon Everyday Chemist, we’re passionate about helping mothers protect themselves and their babies through every stage of pregnancy. 

Our trained pharmacists can:

• Check your vaccination record and advise what’s due
• Provide all eligible pregnancy vaccines free under the National Immunisation Program
• Offer guidance on timing and safety
• Make the process quick, simple and comfortable

You don’t need to wait. CLICK HERE to book your vaccination today at Lygon Everyday Chemist and give both yourself and your baby the best protection possible.