If you are pregnant, you should get the flu vaccine. You can get it for free from your GP practice or pharmacy when it's available.
Why you should get the flu vaccine
Flu is dangerous during pregnancy and can lead to:
- premature birth
- lower birth weight
- stillbirth
- hospitalisation
The flu vaccine can protect your baby from flu until they are 6 months old. It can also prevent you from getting flu and passing it on to your baby.
Safety
The flu vaccine is safe for pregnant women and their babies. It has been given to millions of pregnant women.
In the US, it has been given to women for almost 60 years.
When to get the flu vaccine
The flu vaccine is available from October to the end of April each year.
You can get the vaccine at any point in your pregnancy. But try to get it as early in your pregnancy as you can.
You can get it at the same time as your whooping cough vaccine and your COVID-19 vaccine. If you have had your COVID-19 vaccine, you should still get the flu vaccine.
If you were pregnant during last year's flu season and got the flu vaccine, you should still get this season's flu vaccine.
Side effects
After the vaccine, you may have some mild side effects.
These may include:
- soreness, redness or swelling where you got the injection
- fever (high temperature - 38 degrees Celsius or above)
- mild sweating and shivering
- headache
- aches
- feeling tired
If you have any of these side effects, take paracetamol and rest. Paracetamol is safe to take during pregnancy. It will help you and your baby avoid a fever.
Do not take ibuprofen unless advised by your obstetrician.
Reactions are generally mild and serious side effects such as severe allergic reactions are very rare. Your GP or pharmacist is trained to deal with this.
If you are unwell after the vaccine, talk to your GP. Do not assume that it is the side effects from the vaccine.
Reporting side effects
If you think you may side effects from a vaccine, you can report it to the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA). Your doctor, nurse, pharmacist or a family member can also report the side effect to the HPRA.
Report any harmful effects to the Health Products Regulatory Authority - hpra.ie