Pregnancy and flu vaccines

Flu vaccine has been shown to be safe during pregnancy and is recommended in every pregnancy.

The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists strongly recommend influenza vaccine at any stage of pregnancy to protect the pregnant person and their baby.

Vaccination is the most effective way to protect you and your baby. Influenza vaccine is government funded at any time during pregnancy.  Immunisation providers may charge a consultation fee.

Find out more about influenza.

Pregnancy and flu risks

Getting the flu can cause serious problems when you are pregnant. Even if you are healthy, changes in immune, heart, and lung functions during pregnancy make you more likely to get severely ill from the flu.

If you are pregnant and get the flu, you are at higher risk of hospitalisation and even death. Severe illness during pregnancy can also be dangerous to your baby because it increases the chance of significant problems, such as premature labour and delivery.

Getting a flu vaccine is the best way to protect yourself from influenza and its complications during pregnancy.

Vaccination during pregnancy can also protect babies in the first months after birth as protective antibodies are transferred through the placenta from mother to baby.

You do not have more chance of side effects like redness and swelling at the injection site if you are pregnant.

When to get the flu vaccine

The influenza vaccine can be given at any stage of pregnancy and at most times of the year. It can be given at the same time as pertussis (whooping cough) vaccine or COVID-19 vaccine.

Find out where to get the flu vaccine

Find out more about children and flu vaccines.