Ready Steady Baby!

Vaccines in pregnancy

The best way to protect you and your baby from serious disease and illness is to get the recommended vaccines at the right time.

The antibodies you develop after getting a vaccine transfer from you to your unborn baby. This helps give your newborn baby protection.

Recommended vaccinations

NHS Scotland recommends that pregnant women should have the:

coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine – at any stage in your pregnancy
flu vaccine - at any stage in your pregnancy during flu season (October to March)
whooping cough vaccine - from week 16 of your pregnancy

You can have more than one vaccine at the same time during pregnancy. Speak to your midwife for more information.

Coronavirus vaccine

NHS Scotland strongly recommends that pregnant women have the coronavirus vaccine. Vaccination is the best way to protect you and your baby from the risks of coronavirus in pregnancy.

You and your unborn baby can't catch coronavirus from the vaccine.

The coronavirus vaccines available in the UK are safe and effective. There are no pregnancy- related safety concerns around the coronavirus vaccine.

Learn more about the coronavirus vaccine in pregnancy

Flu vaccine

The Royal College of Midwives recommends all pregnant women have the free flu vaccine every time they are pregnant. During pregnancy, you're at a greater risk of serious flu-related complications.

The flu vaccine helps protect you and your developing baby against flu during your pregnancy and for at least 3 months after birth.

The flu vaccine contains no live viruses and can't give you flu. It's safe for you and your baby at any stage of pregnancy.

Learn more about the flu vaccine during pregnancy

Whooping cough vaccine

NHS Scotland recommends you have the whooping cough vaccine every time you're pregnant. Having this vaccine will protect your baby from whooping cough in the first few weeks of their life.

The whooping cough vaccine is recommended as soon as possible from week 16 of your pregnancy. The ideal time to have the vaccine is between weeks 16 and 32, but the sooner you get the vaccine the better.

Learn more about the whooping cough vaccine

Ask your midwife for more information on how to get your vaccines during pregnancy.

Vaccine Safety Net Member

Public Health Scotland is a proud member of the Vaccine Safety Net and partners with NHS inform to provide reliable information on vaccine safety.

The Vaccine Safety Net is a global network of websites, evaluated by the World Health Organization, that provides reliable information on vaccine safety.

More about the Vaccine Safety Net