Women who are pregnant are recommended to receive influenza vaccine in each pregnancy
Women who are pregnant are recommended to receive influenza vaccine in each pregnancy.
Influenza vaccine is funded through the NIP for all women who are pregnant. For details see the National Immunisation Program Schedule.
Women who acquire influenza during pregnancy have an increased risk of morbidity and mortality.23 Women who acquire influenza are also at higher risk of preterm birth.30-39
Vaccinating pregnant women also reduces the risks and complications associated with severe influenza in their infants in the first 6 months of life. This is due to transplacental transfer of influenza-specific antibodies.31,40,41
All inactivated influenza vaccines can safely be given to pregnant and breastfeeding women. Pregnant women should receive inactivated influenza vaccines rather than live attenuated influenza vaccines (LAIV). However, there is no evidence of risk associated with LAIV use in pregnancy. See Precautions section for details.
Timing of influenza vaccination during pregnancy
Timing of influenza vaccination during pregnancy
Pregnant women can receive inactivated influenza vaccine during any stage of pregnancy.
Influenza vaccine can be given at the same time as, or separate to, dTpa (reduced antigen content diphtheria-tetanus-acellular pertussis), RSV vaccine and/or COVID-19 vaccines.
Women who received the previous year’s seasonal influenza vaccine early in their pregnancy are advised to receive the current seasonal influenza vaccine (when it becomes available) later in the same pregnancy. Women who received vaccine before becoming pregnant should be revaccinated during pregnancy to protect the unborn infant.
See Table. Vaccines that are routinely recommended in pregnancy: inactivated vaccines in Vaccination for women who are planning pregnancy, pregnant or breastfeeding for more details.