Vaccinations in pre-pregnancy and pregnancy

Vaccinations are an important part of pre-pregnancy and pregnancy care.

Some vaccines, such as the flu vaccine and whooping cough vaccine, are safe and recommended during pregnancy to help protect both parents and babies. 

More NHS information about vaccinations in pregnancy.

Key vaccinations

Key vaccinations offered during pregnancy include:

• Flu vaccine - this protects against flu complications during pregnancy and offers protection to babies after birth
• Whooping cough vaccine - this is given around 20 weeks of pregnancy to protect babies from whooping cough
• Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine - this protects babies from serious respiratory infections like pneumonia and bronchiolitis, and it's offered from 28 weeks of pregnancy
• COVID-19 vaccine - this is highly recommended to protect pregnant individuals and babies against severe illness from COVID-19

Live vaccines, such as measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR), are not recommended during pregnancy due to the potential risk of the virus affecting the baby.

There is no evidence of live vaccines causing birth defects, and in rare cases, they may be recommended if the benefits outweigh the risks.

A midwife, doctor, or pharmacist can provide guidance on whether a live vaccine is appropriate during pregnancy.

Live vaccines include:

• BCG (against tuberculosis)
• MMR (measles, mumps, rubella)
• oral polio
• oral typhoid
• yellow fever

It is advised to wait until after the baby is born before receiving these vaccinations unless a healthcare provider determines otherwise.

The childhood routine immunisation schedule was revised in September 2024 in order to reflect the introduction of a Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) vaccination programme for pregnant women.

Messages for professionals to share

• advise pregnant individuals to contact their doctor or midwife as soon as they know they are pregnant
• check the vaccination status before pregnancy (particularly for Rubella) to avoid complications

Travel vaccines

The NHS advises against having travel vaccinations while pregnant. If you are pregnant and have to travel and need vaccinations, it is advised to talk to a midwife or doctor.

The Travel Health Pro website has information and advice about travel vaccination for various countries.