Key facts
- You should try to have your vaccinations up to date before getting pregnant.
- Vaccination is a safe and effective way to prevent the serious harm some diseases can cause you or your unborn baby.
- Your health professional can check your immunity and recommend vaccines for you.
Who can get the vaccines
Pregnant women can receive vaccines for free through the NIP if they hold, or are eligible for a Medicare card.
Diseases the vaccines protect against
The NIP schedule provides free vaccines during pregnancy to help protect pregnant women and their babies against:
These vaccines are recommended because these diseases can cause serious illness and complications for pregnant women and young babies.
How and when the vaccines are given
Vaccines on the NIP schedule for pregnant women are given by injection. They are usually given into a muscle (intramuscularly) or under the skin (subcutaneously).
The recommended timing for free vaccines during pregnancy is:
- flu (influenza) vaccine – at any stage of pregnancy
- whooping cough (pertussis) vaccine – between 20 and 32 weeks of each pregnancy, although it can be given up to the time of delivery (during the end of the second trimester or third trimester)
- respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine – between 28 and 36 weeks of pregnancy (during the third trimester).
You can safely receive more than one vaccine during the same appointment if recommended by your health professional.
Combination vaccines
Some of the free vaccines on the NIP are combination vaccines. These combine 2 or more vaccines into one dose. They are a safe way to reduce the number of injections that are needed.
Why some vaccines need multiple doses
Some vaccines need more than one dose to give the best possible protection. Depending on the vaccine, this is to either:
- boost your immunity (sometimes called a booster shot)
- protect against a disease that changes over time (such as the flu).
Are the vaccines safe
Vaccines recommended during pregnancy are safe. They go through:
- a rigorous testing process to be approved for use in Australia
- a listing process to be approved for the NIP
- continuous safety monitoring once in use.
To find out more, see the following pages on the Sharing Knowledge About Immunisation (SKAI) website:
How do the vaccines work
When you get a vaccine, your body’s immune system creates antibodies for protection. If you come into contact with that disease in the future, your immune system remembers it and responds quickly.
When you have a vaccine during pregnancy, you transfer antibodies to your baby through the placenta. This protects them from birth and in their vulnerable early months.
Most vaccines take about 2 to 3 weeks to provide immunity.
To find out more, see:
Benefits and risks of the vaccines
You may have side effects after getting the free vaccines, but these are almost always mild. Read more about the possible side effects below.
Without the vaccines, you and your unborn child could be at risk of getting seriously ill with ongoing complications. Some diseases like whooping cough can even cause death in babies.
Getting a disease is likely to be more serious than the risks of the vaccine. For example:
- whooping cough can cause serious health problems like broken ribs and hernia in babies
- flu (influenza) can cause serious complications in babies like pneumonia and inflammation of the brain
- RSV can cause serious lung infections such as bronchiolitis and pneumonia in young babies.
Having a vaccine is the best way to protect your baby until they can be vaccinated themselves.
Vaccination during pregnancy helps protect your baby during the first months of life, before they can receive some of their own vaccinations.
Extra vaccines that are not free
The free vaccines on the NIP are recommended because they protect against diseases that can cause serious illness for pregnant women and young babies.
Your health professional may recommend other vaccines that are not free. You can buy these privately.
Possible side effects
Each vaccine has possible side effects. Most are mild, but occasionally there can be serious side effects.
Common side effects
Most side effects are mild and usually go away in a few days. Find out about possible side effects and how to manage them.
If you are concerned, speak to a health professional for advice. Most people who have reactions can safely have more vaccines. If needed, your health professional may refer you for more testing or take precautions before the next vaccine.
Very rare side effects
Serious side effects like a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) are very rare. They need medical attention straight away.
Next steps
Contact a health professional if you have any questions or to make a vaccination appointment.
Find a health professional in your area or call your state or territory health department.
Some providers charge a consultation fee to give vaccines, including free ones. Check before you make an appointment.
More information
Read the maternal vaccinations brochure.
Depending on where you live, other immunisation products to protect babies from RSV may also be available through state and territory programs. Speak to your health professional for advice.
Get evidence-based answers to your questions about vaccination.
Get evidence-based answers to your questions about vaccination.
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