Pregnant women are recommended to receive influenza vaccine in each pregnancy
Pregnant women are recommended to receive influenza vaccine in each pregnancy.
Influenza vaccine is funded through the NIP for all pregnant women. 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 protects their infants from influenza in the first 6 months of life. This is due to transplacental transfer of influenza-specific antibodies.31,40,41
Influenza vaccine can safely be given to pregnant and breastfeeding women.
Timing of influenza vaccination during pregnancy
Timing of influenza vaccination during pregnancy
Pregnant women can receive influenza vaccine during any stage of pregnancy.
Influenza vaccine can safely be given at the same time as dTpa (reduced antigen content diphtheria-tetanus-acellular pertussis) vaccine and/or COVID-19 vaccine.
Women who received the previous year’s seasonal influenza vaccine early in their pregnancy can 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.
Influenza vaccine can safely be given to breastfeeding women.
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.