Some diseases can have serious consequences for the pregnant person and the unborn baby. These include whooping cough, influenza and COVID-19. Three vaccines are recommended and offered free of charge to pregnant people to protect against these diseases.
These vaccines are effective and safe for both the mother and the unborn child. They protect against these diseases that pose a risk to the pregnant person and their fetus.
Whooping cough
A dose of pertussis vaccine is recommended for every pregnancy. The ideal time to receive the vaccine is between the 26th and 32nd week of pregnancy. It provides effective protection against whooping cough and its complications. The pertussis antibodies developed by the mother are transmitted directly to the baby, protecting the baby until their own vaccination. For more information on the whooping cough vaccine, or to book an appointment, please consult the page Combined tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough) vaccine (Tdap).
Influenza
One dose of the flu vaccine is recommended during the flu season, usually at 13 weeks or more of pregnancy, and with every future pregnancy. Pregnant people and babies under 6 months of age are at greater risk of complications and hospitalization following influenza. It is therefore recommended that pregnant people, as well as people living in the same household as the baby, and caregivers, be vaccinated to avoid transmitting the flu to them. For more information on flu vaccines, or to book an appointment, visit the following page Flu vaccination.
COVID-19
One dose of the COVID-19 vaccine is recommended to pregnant people, as they are at greater risk of complications and hospitalization after having had COVID-19. Some complications may also affect the unborn child. It is therefore recommended that pregnant people be vaccinated to avoid complications from COVID-19 for themselves and their unborn child. For more information on the COVID-19 vaccine, visit the following page: COVID-19 vaccination.