Understanding how vaccines protect your baby can be reassuring during pregnancy.
Why is the RSV vaccine offered in pregnancy?
RSV is a common winter virus, but it can cause serious lung infections in babies, including bronchiolitis and pneumonia. Many babies with severe RSV need hospital care.
The NHS highlights that the RSV vaccine that’s given in pregnancy helps protect babies for their first six months, when they’re at the highest risk.
When should I get the RSV vaccine?
It’s offered in week 28 or soon after, often at your 28-week antenatal appointment.
You can have it later if needed, even up until labour. But it’s better to have it in week 28 or soon after that to provide your baby with the best protection.
Is the RSV vaccine safe?
According to the NHS, the RSV vaccine is not a live vaccine and is safe for you and your baby.
What Mumsnet users say about the RSV vaccine
"I had it [the RSV vaccine]! I would have had it regardless, but a contributing factor was having a baby due in January and a toddler in nursery who brings home all the illnesses […] I didn’t have any side effects at all, felt completely normal and it helped with my anxiety when cases of RSV picked up locally." KateColx
"I had it and had no side effects at all. RSV cases are going up, and I didn't want to take the risk of the baby getting very ill." PurpleTurtleMoose
"I had it and didn’t notice any significant side effects. My baby had RSV when he was a few months old but relatively mildly which I attribute to having the vaccine." ForDaringNavyOP
"I had it towards the end of last year - I was fine afterwards and my now six-month-old baby is also fine. I know two babies who almost died from RSV so there was no way I wasn't having it!" namestealer
Why is the flu vaccine recommended during pregnancy?
During pregnancy, your immune system weakens slightly to support your growing baby, making it harder to fight off infections, including flu. According to the NHS, pregnant women are more likely to develop complications like pneumonia, and they’re also more likely to be admitted to hospital with flu.
Flu can also increase the risk of:
Premature birth
Low birthweight
Stillbirth
Having the flu vaccine reduces these risks, and it also passes protective antibodies to your baby, helping protect them for their first few months of life when they are also particularly vulnerable to complications from flu.
When should I get the flu vaccine?
You can have the flu vaccine at any stage of pregnancy.
It’s available from September (at the start of the flu season) to the end of March and can be given until you go into labour.
If you missed it earlier in the flu season, you can still get it later - having it at any point offers more protection than not having it at all.
Is the flu vaccine safe in pregnancy?
The NHS says the flu vaccine can be given at any stage of pregnancy. The injected flu vaccine is not live, so it can’t cause flu. Research shows that it’s safe for you and your baby.
Can I have flu and other vaccines at the same time?
Yes, you can have the flu vaccination alongside other vaccines (when available between September and the end of March only). But the NHS advises not to delay any vaccine just to combine appointments.
What Mumsnet users say about the flu vaccine
"I had it [the flu vaccine] when pregnant. It’s an extremely safe vaccine [...] I had flu A last year and it was horrible - I was in bed unwell for a week. I wouldn’t fancy it in my third trimester." applegingermint
"I had the flu [vaccine] in the first trimester. I'm so glad I did as two weeks later I ended up in urgent care, and they believed I had the flu. It was awful with paracetamol barely keeping my temperature under control. I'd hate to think how bad it would have been if I hadn't had the vaccine!" Zeeha
"I had my flu [vaccine] at six weeks pregnant and very glad I did. I had no side effects and barely noticed my sore arm. At 13 [weeks] my husband had flu and I managed to escape unscathed." OneRedCrab
Common questions about vaccinations in pregnancy, answered
Can I get all vaccines at once?
Yes, you can have the whooping cough, RSV and flu (only between September and the end of March) vaccines during the same visit. However, the NHS advises having each vaccine when it’s offered, as delaying one to combine appointments can mean you and your baby are protected later than planned.
Are vaccines free when you’re pregnant?
Yes, all recommended vaccines are free on the NHS, including the whooping cough RSV and flu vaccines when you’re pregnant. You can get them via:
Your midwife or maternity unit / antenatal clinic (many hospitals offer them as part of antenatal care). You can refer yourself for NHS pregnancy care so you can start your care with a midwife. This is usually done with an online form
Your GP practice
Many NHS pharmacies (for flu, and in some areas for whooping cough or RSV)
Use the NHS directory to find a local walk-in clinic near you that offers vaccinations.
What if I miss a vaccine?
Lots of people miss appointments, experience delays or only realise they’re pregnant partway through the recommended vaccine window. Don’t worry - in most cases you can still have the vaccines you need:
Whooping cough vaccine: from 16 weeks and ideally before 32 weeks, but you can still have it later - even shortly after birth.
RSV vaccine: offered in week 28 or soon after, up until labour.
Flu vaccine: can be given at any stage of pregnancy, right up to labour between September and the end of March.
If you’re unsure which vaccines you’ve had or if you think you may have missed one, your midwife, GP or maternity unit can check your records and talk you through what happens next.
Can the flu vaccine give you the flu?
No. The NHS states that the injectable flu vaccine is inactivated (not live), so it can’t cause flu.
Will getting many vaccines overload the immune system?
No. According to the British Society for Immunology, your immune system is exposed to millions of germs every day. The tiny amount of inactivated bacteria or virus in a vaccine is minuscule in comparison and doesn’t put any extra strain on your immune system. Even if you get several different vaccines at the same time, they will still use less than a thousandth of your immune system’s capacity.
Do I still need vaccines if I’m fit and healthy?
Yes. According to the NHS, pregnancy changes how your body responds to infections. For example, flu during pregnancy is more likely to cause serious illness (like pneumonia) and complications, which also increases risks for your baby. Vaccines also protect the baby in their first weeks of life.
Other vaccines to discuss with your midwife or GP
Some vaccines contain a live virus and are not usually given during pregnancy as a precaution. According to the NHS, these include:
MMR (measles, mumps, rubella): protects against these three serious viral infections.
BCG (Bacillus Calmette–Guérin): protects against tuberculosis (TB).
Yellow fever: usually only needed for travel. Protects against yellow fever virus.
Oral typhoid: usually only needed for travel. Protects against typhoid fever.
Your midwife or GP can advise if you need any of these vaccines for travel or special circumstances.
For more information, check out the NHS guidance on why vaccination is important along with details on the vaccinations available during pregnancy and how to book. If you have any questions or concerns, your GP or midwife can offer advice and support.