Vaccinations during pregnancy

Did you know that when you’re pregnant, you’re more likely to catch some infections that can be dangerous for you and your baby?

That’s because the immune system of all pregnant women goes through natural changes designed to protect the pregnancy. This can make it easier for you to become ill, but there are things you can do to help protect you both.

Having a few important vaccinations while you’re pregnant will not only help you stay healthy during your pregnancy but also help keep your baby safe for the first few months after they’re born.

If you live in Staffordshire or Stoke-on-Trent, speak to your midwife, health team or GP surgery about the recommended vaccinations for flu, whooping cough and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) – a virus that can make newborn babies seriously ill. You can read more about all of these below.

Flu

Flu is a very serious illness. For pregnant women and their babies, there’s a higher risk of it leading to bronchitis which can develop into pneumonia and may result in being admitted to a hospital’s intensive care unit.

Pregnant women who catch flu could also have babies who are born prematurely or with a low birth weight. Some might even be stillborn.

Studies have shown that having the flu jab when pregnant is safe. What’s more, it will carry on helping to protect your baby for a few months after they’re born – when they’re most at risk from flu.

Whooping cough

You can help protect your baby from this dangerous illness by having the vaccination while pregnant. As well as coughing for minutes at a time, choking and struggling for breath, whooping cough can result in pneumonia and brain damage in young babies.

Most babies infected with whooping cough will need hospital treatment, while those who are most ill from the infection could die.

Pregnant women have been routinely vaccinated against whooping cough since 2012, with no evidence it’s unsafe for pregnant women or their unborn babies.

As babies cannot have their own vaccination until they’re eight weeks old, the only way to protect them in their first months of life is for women to be vaccinated while pregnant. Research has shown this is very effective.

RSV

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) affects the lungs and can make babies seriously ill. They might find it hard to breathe and feed, and it may lead to a chest infection called bronchiolitis that can develop into pneumonia. Around 20,000 infants each year in England are admitted to hospital with bronchiolitis. In the most serious cases, some babies need intensive care.

By having the vaccination, pregnant women can help protect their baby for the first six months after birth. Babies of women vaccinated during pregnancy are 70% less likely to develop severe bronchiolitis during those early months. Studies show the vaccine is much safer than the risk of your baby getting ill with RSV.