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Summary

  • The influenza vaccine is recommended in any stage of pregnancy.
  • The whooping cough (pertussis) vaccine is recommended from 20 weeks gestation.
  • Both of these vaccines are free for pregnant women.
  • Family members can buy the influenza and whooping cough (pertussis) vaccines at our immunisation sessions.

Women are strongly encouraged to get the influenza vaccination and whooping cough (pertussis) vaccination during their pregnancy.

These vaccines are free and available at each of our immunisation sessions. You can find out how to book in for a session on our Public immunisation sessions page.

Influenza vaccine

The influenza vaccine is safe for women in all stages of pregnancy. It helps to protect both the mother and unborn baby from complications associated with the influenza virus during pregnancy. These complications can include pneumonia, miscarriage and premature labour.

Protective antibodies are also passed to the newborn to help protect them in the early months of life.

Women who were vaccinated against the previous year's seasonal influenza early in their pregnancy can be vaccinated against the current seasonal influenza (when this vaccine becomes available) later in the same pregnancy. You can find out more about this vaccine on the Victorian Department of Health website.

Whooping cough (pertussis) vaccine

Getting vaccinated against whooping cough (pertussis) during pregnancy is the most effective way to prevent this infection in your newborn. The whooping cough (pertussis) vaccine is safely administered between 20 and 32 weeks gestation. This provides the best protection for your newborn. 

Whooping cough (pertussis) is a highly contagious respiratory illness that causes prolonged coughing that can make it difficult to breath. Whooping cough can lead to hospitalisation and complications can include pneumonia, brain damage and death.

The whooping cough (pertussis) vaccine is recommended in every pregnancy. 

Partners and family members of pregnant women

Partners and other family members are recommended to receive a whooping cough (pertussis) vaccine if they have not had a whooping cough (pertussis) vaccination in the last 10 years. These can be purchased at any of our immunisation sessions.

Partners and other family members can also purchase the influenza vaccine at any of our immunisation sessions.

More information

You can find out more by emailing [email protected] or calling us on (03) 9278 4711.

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