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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.
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 during pregnancy 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.
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 with your midwife or GP surgery. Visit the MMR vaccine page for more information about the MMR vaccine.
Vaccinations to protect against pertussis (whooping cough), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and flu are recommended in pregnancy to help keep you and your baby safe.
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Vaccine |
When to have the vaccine |
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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. |
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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. |
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Offered during flu season (which may be at any time during your pregnancy). You should have the flu vaccine as soon as it is offered to you. |