Flu vaccination for pregnant women:

Why is the flu jab recommended in pregnancy?

The flu jab is recommended in pregnancy because natural changes to the immune system, heart and lungs during pregnancy can make flu more likely to lead to complications such as a chest infection.

Flu is different from a cold. It tends to come on suddenly, with a high temperature, aching muscles and exhaustion, and it can leave you feeling unwell for a week or more.

There is a bonus for your baby, too. Some of the protection you build passes to your baby before birth, helping to protect them in their first few months, when they are too young to have a flu vaccine themselves.

The current recommendations on flu vaccination for pregnant women are published in the NHS guidance on the flu jab in pregnancy. A GMC-registered GP can explain what they mean for you, especially if you have a health condition alongside your pregnancy.

Is the flu jab safe at any stage of pregnancy?

The flu jab is considered safe at any stage of pregnancy, from the first weeks through to your due date. The vaccine used in pregnancy is an injected, inactivated vaccine, which means it does not contain live virus and cannot give you flu. It is given as a single injection into the upper arm.

If you have questions about the research behind this advice, your midwife or GP can talk you through it, so you can make an informed decision.

Timing is flexible. Most people have the flu jab and pregnancy check-ups running alongside each other in the autumn, but if you become pregnant later in the flu season, you can still have it then. The side effects are the same as for anyone else: usually a sore arm and sometimes mild aches or tiredness for a day or two.

Have questions about the flu jab and pregnancy? Book a GP appointment at LIPS Healthcare, Battersea Power Station.

Can you have the flu jab with other pregnancy vaccines?

You can usually have the flu jab at the same appointment as other vaccines offered in pregnancy, such as the whooping cough vaccine, or on a different day.

Other vaccines in pregnancy, including whooping cough and RSV, are recommended at particular stages, while the flu jab can be given at any stage. Your midwife or GP can help you plan the timing so you do not miss any of them. There is no need to leave a gap between the flu jab and other inactivated vaccines unless a clinician advises otherwise, in line with the UKHSA Green Book. If you live in Clapham, Wandsworth or Nine Elms and are balancing several antenatal appointments, it can help to ask about all of these vaccines in one conversation.

What happens at a flu jab appointment when pregnant?

A flu jab appointment in pregnancy is short: a clinician checks your health, gives one injection into the upper arm, and may ask you to wait for a few minutes afterwards.

1. You are asked about your pregnancy, health, medicines and any allergies or previous reactions.
2. You have the chance to ask questions before deciding to go ahead.
3. The vaccine is given as a single injection into the upper arm.
4. You may be asked to wait briefly before leaving.
5. Let your midwife know you have had the jab so your records are up to date.

Afterwards, the usual mild reactions such as a sore arm or tiredness can appear. If you develop a high temperature at any point in pregnancy, contact your midwife, GP or maternity unit for advice, whatever the cause.

GP appointments at LIPS Healthcare take place on the first floor of Turbine Hall B, Battersea Power Station, a short trip on the Northern line or London Overground from Chelsea, Pimlico and Vauxhall. If you feel unwell and need to be seen the same day for something that is not an emergency, the LIPS Urgent Care Centre can help. For any concern about your pregnancy itself, contact your midwife or maternity unit.

Emergency warning

If you or someone else has signs of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling of the face, lips or throat, difficulty breathing, a racing heart or collapse, call 999 or go to A&E immediately. LIPS Healthcare is not an emergency service.

Medical disclaimer

This article is for general information only and does not replace advice from a qualified healthcare professional. Guidance on flu vaccination is updated each season. If you have questions about the flu jab and your own health, speak to a doctor, pharmacist or midwife.

Sources

• NHS: Flu jab in pregnancy
• UKHSA: Influenza, the Green Book, chapter 19 (pregnancy, co-administration)
• NHS: Flu vaccine (free eligibility groups)