Influenza is a serious disease for pregnant women and their babies
Influenza is not just a cold. It is a serious disease for pregnant women and the developing and newborn baby.
Getting vaccinated during pregnancy is the best way to protect yourself and your newborn baby.
Why you should vaccinate against influenza in pregnancy
Influenza vaccination is safe, free and recommended for pregnant women in each pregnancy.
Receiving the influenza vaccine when pregnant is the best way to protect newborn babies against influenza and other complications that can harm developing babies.
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Why should you vaccinate against influenza in pregnancy?
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Influenza is not just a cold – it’s a serious disease for pregnant women and their developing babies. Many women don’t realise that during pregnancy there are changes to their immune, heart and lung functions that make them more vulnerable to severe illness from influenza.
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I’m getting vaccinated because I had no idea how serious influenza really is for women during pregnancy.
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The influenza vaccine is safe at any time during pregnancy.
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I’m getting vaccinated to protect myself and my baby.
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Influenza infection in infants can be dangerous. In the worst cases, it can lead to death from serious respiratory problems and pneumonia.
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That’s why getting vaccinated during pregnancy is so important because it passes on protective antibodies to your baby which will protect them in the first few months of life when they are most vulnerable.
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I’m getting vaccinated because influenza is dangerous and I want to make sure my new born baby is protected until they’re old enough to get the influenza vaccination themselves at six months of age.
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I plan to get vaccinated before the peak influenza season to ensure I give it enough time to take effect.
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Vaccination during pregnancy is the best way for pregnant women to protect themselves and their babies from influenza
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Ask your doctor, specialist, nurse or midwife today,
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or visit health.gov.au/immunisation
Influenza vaccination when pregnant protects your baby
By getting vaccinated, you pass on protective antibodies to your baby through the placenta which protects them in their first few months of life, when they are most vulnerable and too young to have the influenza vaccine themselves.
Our brochure, Protecting your baby against influenza starts when you’re pregnant, has more information on flu and vaccination in pregnancy.
We have translated the brochure into 10 community languages.
Influenza vaccination is safe at any stage of pregnancy
Vaccination during pregnancy is a safe and effective way to protect pregnant women and their babies against flu.
Studies of women vaccinated in pregnancy have found no evidence that the flu vaccine harms their developing babies.
Find out more about immunisation during pregnancy
The whooping cough (pertussis) vaccine and COVID-19 vaccines are also recommended and provided free for pregnant women.
For more, see:
Authorised by the Australian Government, Canberra