There are 2 vaccines you should get during pregnancy:
In some cases your GP may also recommend a COVID-19 vaccine.
Getting these vaccines protects you against serious illness from flu, whooping cough and COVID-19. Vaccines also protect your child while they're in your womb and for the first few months of their life.
You can get these vaccines at the same time. They are usually given in different arms.
You need to arrange an appointment yourself with either your GP or a pharmacy that provides flu or COVID-19 vaccine services.
Whooping cough vaccine
You should get the vaccine:
- during each pregnancy
- between week 16 and 36 of your pregnancy (you can have it after 36 weeks, but it's less effective)
Whooping cough is highly contagious and can be life-threatening for babies. It is also known as pertussis. Getting the whooping cough vaccine protects you and your baby.
Babies with whooping cough may have to stay in the hospital. Complications for your baby can include pneumonia and brain damage.
The vaccine is free of charge at your GP practice if they participate in the Maternity and Infant Care scheme. If they do not, you may have to pay to get the vaccine.
The vaccine cannot give you whooping cough - it does not contain any live bacteria.
Flu vaccine
Getting the flu increases the risk of complications during your pregnancy and birth. The flu can lead to premature birth, smaller babies and stillbirth.
The flu vaccine can reduce the risk of stillbirth by over 50%. Getting the vaccine during pregnancy also protects your baby after birth. It reduces your baby’s risk of being admitted to hospital with the flu.
You can get the flu vaccine safely at any time during pregnancy. Flu season in Ireland usually lasts from October to the end of April. If you're pregnant during these months, you should get the flu vaccine.
The flu vaccine and appointment are free for pregnant women. You can get the vaccine from your GP practice or pharmacy when it's available.
COVID-19 vaccine
Talk to your GP or healthcare team for advice about COVID-19 vaccination during your pregnancy.
COVID-19 vaccines are safe for you and your baby. They protect you from getting very unwell if you get COVID-19.
Most pregnant women who get COVID-19 get mild to moderate symptoms. They give birth as planned and the risk of passing on COVID-19 to their baby is low.
But pregnant women are more likely to get very unwell and need treatment in intensive care than women who are not pregnant. The virus may also cause complications for your baby.
Children under age 1 are at higher risk of hospitalisation and severe illness from COVID-19. Young babies whose mothers were vaccinated in pregnancy were less likely to need hospital care for COVID-19.
Getting a COVID-19 vaccine during pregnancy gives you and your baby the best possible protection from COVID-19.
Other vaccines
Always tell your GP or pharmacist that you are pregnant before you book any vaccine.
It is safe to have many vaccines while you are pregnant. For example, a tetanus vaccine.
But some vaccines are not safe to receive while pregnant. For example, ‘live’ vaccines such as the yellow fever vaccine or the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine (MMR).
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