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Vaccines in pregnancy - Protect you and your baby

Background 

Vaccinations save lives. You will be offered vaccines during your pregnancy. Vaccination is the safest and most effective way of protecting you and your baby from serious illness. 

Protect you and your baby

During pregnancy, your immune system is naturally weaker than usual. This means you are less likely to fight off infections that can be harmful to you and your baby. 

Vaccination can help prevent disease or make illness less serious for you, and for your baby. This is because the antibodies (natural substances your body produces to fight infection) are passed to your unborn baby, helping to protect them in their first few weeks of life. 

In Wales, three vaccinations are offered during pregnancy.   
Vaccine  When to have the vaccine 
Pertussis (Whooping cough) Offered from 16 weeks. 

The best time to have the whooping cough vaccine is from 16 to 32 weeks of pregnancy. You can have it up until your baby is born, but it may be less effective later in pregnancy. 
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Offered from 28 weeks. 

The best time to have the RSV vaccine is from 28 to 36 weeks of pregnancy. You can have it up until your baby is born, but it may be less effective later in pregnancy. 
Influenza (Flu) Offered during flu season, which typically runs from September to March each year. Flu vaccination is recommended at any stage of your pregnancy.   
You should have the flu vaccine as soon as it is offered to you.   

Some pregnant women, who are classed as having a weakened immune system, will also be eligible for COVID-19 vaccination.

Other vaccines may be recommended for some babies soon after birth, including:  

Before pregnancy 

If you are planning to become pregnant, checking your vaccination status can help protect you and your baby. 

The MMR vaccine protects against measles, mumps and rubella. The MMR is a live vaccine and so it is not recommended during pregnancy. However, it is recommended for women who have not received two doses of the vaccine either before or after pregnancy. You can have the MMR vaccine up to one month before becoming pregnant or after your baby is born.  

If you are not sure, please check your MMR vaccination status with your midwife or GP surgery. Visit the MMR vaccine page for more information about the MMR vaccine.  

Information:

For more information about vaccines in pregnancy, speak to your midwife, health visitor or practice nurse. To arrange an appointment for your vaccines, contact your GP or speak to your midwife.

FAQ’s 

Why are vaccines important for pregnant women?

Vaccination during pregnancy can help prevent disease or make illness less serious for you and your baby. This is because the antibodies (natural substances your body produces to fight infection) are passed to your unborn baby, helping to protect them in their first few weeks of life.

Before becoming pregnant, check that your vaccinations are up to date to protect against diseases that can cause illness in you or your unborn baby.

Are these vaccines safe in pregnancy?

Yes, these vaccines are safe in pregnancy.

All medicines (including vaccines) are tested for safety and effectiveness before they are allowed to be used. Once they are in use, their safety continues to be monitored by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).

Do these vaccines have side effects?

Like all medicines, vaccines can cause side effects. This is because they work by triggering a response in your immune system. Most of these side effects are mild and only last a few days, and not everyone gets them.

The most common side effect is a sore arm where you had the injection. Other side effects include:

  • a fever 
  • feeling tired 
  • general aches 
  • chills or flu-like symptoms 
  • swelling of the arm you had the vaccination in 
  • loss of appetite, and 
  • a headache. 

Serious side effects are very rare.

These symptoms normally last less than a week. If your symptoms seem to get worse or if you are concerned, call NHS 111 Wales. If you get advice from a doctor or midwife, make sure you tell them about your vaccinations so that they can assess you properly.

You can also report suspected side effects of vaccines and medicines through the Yellow Card scheme. You can do this online at Yellow Card (external site), by downloading the Yellow Card app, or by calling 0800 731 6789 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm).

What do I need to do?

It is important to have your vaccines at the right time in pregnancy. The NHS will give you information about when and where to get vaccinated. If you are not sure what is best for you, discuss this with your midwife, who will explain more about the vaccines and how they can help protect you and your baby. 

If you are unwell when your appointment is due, it is better to wait until you have recovered to have your vaccines, but you should try to have them as soon as possible. 

Are the vaccines safe if I am breastfeeding?

The benefits of breastfeeding are well known, and all these vaccines can safely be given to women who are breastfeeding. You do not need to stop breastfeeding before your vaccination, and you can continue breastfeeding as normal afterwards.

Can I still get whooping cough, RSV or flu when I am vaccinated?

Vaccination is one of the most effective ways to prevent severe illness from whooping cough, RSV and flu. No vaccine is 100% effective, so it is still important to know the signs and symptoms of these diseases, even if you are vaccinated.

For more information about these vaccines, visit: 

You can find information about the signs and symptoms of illnesses caused by RSV at:

After your baby is born 

For information about vaccines from 0 to 5 years of age, visit the Vaccinations for babies and children aged 0 to 5 years web page.

Further resources

Page last reviewed: 19th August 2026