Vaccines During Pregnancy

Two vaccines are recommended from the very beginning of your pregnancy, ideally at your first GP appointment.

Flu Vaccine

• The flu shot during pregnancy is safe at every stage and recommended as early as possible.
• Here's why it matters:
• Influenza during pregnancy significantly increases the risk of pneumonia, hospitalisation, and preterm birth
• The antibodies you develop are passed to your baby through the placenta
• Your newborn receives some protection in their first months of life before they can be vaccinated themselves
• The flu vaccine is free for pregnant women under the National Immunisation Program

You don't need to wait for the flu season. If you're pregnant, the recommendation is to get vaccinated right away, regardless of the time of year. Read more about our flu clinic at Robina Town Medical Centre.

COVID-19 Vaccine

COVID-19 poses a greater risk of serious illness during pregnancy, including:

• Increased likelihood of premature delivery
• Higher risk of ICU admission
• Potential complications for the baby

The COVID-19 vaccine is recommended as soon as you find out you're pregnant. Boosters are also encouraged in line with current Australian health guidelines. Your GP can advise you on which vaccine is appropriate and the recommended interval between doses based on your vaccination history.

From 28 Weeks: Whooping Cough (Tdap) and RSV

Both of these vaccines are recommended from 28 weeks because this timing maximises the concentration of antibodies transferred to your baby before delivery.

Whooping Cough Vaccine in Pregnancy (Tdap)

Whooping cough, also known as pertussis, is highly contagious and can be life-threatening for newborns. Babies are too young to be protected by their own vaccinations until 6–8 weeks of age, leaving a critical window of vulnerability.

The pertussis vaccine during pregnancy is given as part of the Tdap vaccine, which also covers:

• Tetanus
• Diphtheria
• acellular Pertussis (whooping cough)

Key facts about Tdap while pregnant:

• Recommended from 28 weeks of every pregnancy, not just your first
• Immunity from a previous vaccination may have waned, so repeat vaccination is important
• Antibodies cross the placenta and protect your baby from birth
• Free under the National Immunisation Program for pregnant women

This is one of the most critical vaccines in the pregnancy schedule. Newborns who contract whooping cough before they can be vaccinated are at serious risk of hospitalisation. The whooping cough vaccine in pregnancy is your baby's first line of defence.

RSV Vaccine

RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) may be less familiar than the flu or whooping cough, but it's a leading cause of:

• Serious breathing difficulties in young babies
• Bronchiolitis and pneumonia in infants under 6 months
• Hospitalisation in newborns

A maternal RSV vaccine is now available and recommended for 28 weeks. Like the Tdap, it works by generating antibodies in your body that transfer to your baby through the placenta. Protection begins at birth before your baby's own immune system is capable of responding to vaccination.

Speak to your GP at your 28-week appointment about whether the RSV vaccine is right for you and what out-of-pocket costs may apply.

Why Timing Is Everything

Getting the right vaccine at the right stage of pregnancy isn't just a guideline, it's what makes the protection more effective: