Watch more videos on the WA Health YouTube channel (external site).
Read the video transcript – Immunisation in pregnancy.
Hepatitis B
If you have hepatitis B while pregnant, you can pass it to your baby during childbirth.
When you are pregnant, your doctor will offer you a simple blood test at your first visit to confirm whether you are protected against hepatitis B, so appropriate steps can be taken to protect your baby from the virus after birth.
It is recommended that all newborn babies receive their first dose of a primary course of HepB vaccine in the first 7 days of birth/before leaving the hospital.
It’s recommended that you receive the following immunisations while you are pregnant:
Influenza (flu)
During pregnancy, you are at much higher risk of respiratory complications if you catch influenza (flu) than other healthy adults.
Influenza vaccination not only protects you, but may also protect your baby for their first 6 months of life, when they are too young to receive the vaccine themselves and when they are at high risk of serious complications if they catch the virus.
This vaccine is recommended during any stage of pregnancy.
Pertussis (whooping cough)
Outbreaks of pertussis occur every 3 to 4 years in Australia.
Young babies are the most vulnerable; if they catch whooping cough they are at risk of serious complications, and can even die.
It is very important for all adults who will be caring for babies under 6 months of age to be fully immunised against pertussis.
You can be immunised against pertussis in the third trimester of your pregnancy.
These vaccines protect you and your newborn baby against these diseases in the first few months of life.
The whooping cough vaccine is free for all pregnant women.
If I am immunised while pregnant will my baby be protected?
You can pass on some immunity to some diseases such as influenza to your baby while you are pregnant.
This immunity may protect your baby for the first 6 months of life. For ongoing protection, your baby will need to receive the vaccine themselves as they get older.