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Pregnancy immunisation program

Immunisation can protect a pregnant woman and her unborn baby from infectious diseases. Some infectious diseases can cause serious harm to pregnant women or their unborn babies.

Ideally, women would be up to date with their immunisations before they become pregnant and all women should receive whooping cough and influenza vaccines during every pregnancy.

For further information on pregnancy or antenatal care visit the dedicated  Maternity Services page.

Whooping cough, influenza and COVID-19 vaccination for pregnant women

Whooping cough vaccination for pregnant women is offered as part of the NIP. Vaccination is recommended with each pregnancy to provide maximum protection for newborn babies. This includes pregnancies which are close together (e.g. less than 2 years).

The online Australian Immunisation Handbook recommends vaccination of pregnant women (between 20 and 32 weeks).

Pregnant women should also ensure they are vaccinated for influenza (flu), which can safely be given at the same time as the whooping cough vaccine. For the best protection against flu pregnant women who receive an influenza vaccine late in the influenza season should be re-vaccinated if the next season's vaccine becomes available before the end of their pregnancy. However, they must wait until week 20 of their pregnancy to receive the whooping cough vaccine. Women should not delay receiving the influenza vaccine so they can have it at the same time as the whooping cough vaccine.

As part of the COVID-19 vaccine rollout, the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) has developed advice for health care providers on the use of COVID-19 vaccines in Australia in 2021. If you are pregnant or likely to become pregnant in the near future, ask your doctor for advice and in the meantime go to COVID-19 vaccines: everything you need to know.

 


Last updated 17 Oct 2023