You are entitled to receive the following vaccinations for free as you’re pregnant:

  • the Flu vaccination (offered between September and March)
  • the Whooping Cough vaccination
  • the Coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination

Flu vaccine

During pregnancy, your immune system (the body's natural defence) is weakened to protect the pregnancy. This can mean you're less able to fight off infections. As the baby grows, you may be unable to breathe as deeply, increasing the risk of infections such as pneumonia.

These changes can raise the risk of flu – pregnant women are more likely to get flu complications than women who are not pregnant and are more likely to be admitted to the hospital. Having the flu vaccine means you're less likely to get the flu.

Whooping cough vaccine

Whooping cough is a very serious infection, and young babies are most at risk. Most babies with whooping cough will be admitted to hospital.

When you have the whooping cough vaccination in pregnancy, your body produces antibodies to protect against whooping cough. These antibodies pass to your baby giving them some protection until they're able to have their whooping cough vaccination at 8 weeks old.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine

You can have the coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine during pregnancy. You'll be invited when your age group are offered it or earlier if you have a health condition or reason that means you're eligible.

It's preferable for you to have the Pfizer/BioNTech or Moderna vaccine. This is because they've been more widely used during pregnancy in other countries and have not caused any safety issues.

When you're offered a vaccine, speak to your GP surgery to arrange an appointment. This is to make sure you go to a vaccination centre offering the Pfizer/BioNTech or Moderna vaccine.'

RSV vaccine

From 1 September 2024, pregnant women can have a free vaccine in each pregnancy, to protect their babies against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

RSV is a common virus which can cause a lung infection called bronchiolitis. In small babies, this condition can make it hard to breathe and to feed. Most cases can be managed at home but around 20,000 infants are admitted to hospital with bronchiolitis each year in England. Infants with severe bronchiolitis may need intensive care and the infection can be fatal. RSV is more likely to be serious in very young babies, those born prematurely, and those with conditions that affect their heart, breathing or immune system. Find out more about RSV here.

Pregnancy: how to help protect you and your baby - GOV.UK
Find out more about vaccination in pregnancy - NHS.UK