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 during this winter vaccine season (September to March)
- flu vaccine- at any stage in your pregnancy during flu season (September 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
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.
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.
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.
Ask your midwife for more information on how to get your vaccines during pregnancy.
Further information and other languages and formats
Public Health Scotland have produced a leaflet discussing vaccines in pregnancy:
- Vaccines in Pregnancy leaflet in Arabic, BSL, English Polish, Simplified Chinese (Mandarin) and Ukrainian
- Vaccines in Pregnancy leaflet in Audio and English Large Print formats
Translations and alternative formats of this information are available from Public Health Scotland.
Last updated:
07 September 2023