During your pregnancy, you will be offered a series of vaccinations to protect you and your baby. All of the vaccines are free and safe for you and your baby. All vaccinations are available in the Maternity vaccination hub at the RVI in Newcastle.
Maternity vaccination hub
Our maternity vaccination hub is in the antenatal department, level 4 Leazes Wing, RVI.
The clinic runs Monday to Friday (not bank holidays) from 9am to 4pm. There is a drop-in option, or, you can call the vaccination team at 0191 282 9939 to arrange an appointment.
Flu vaccine
When you are pregnant, your immune system is weakened. This helps protect the pregnancy. It also means you are less able to fight off infections such as flu. Pregnant women are more likely to get flu complications (such as pneumonia) than women who are not pregnant, and are more likely to be admitted to hospital. Having the flu vaccine means you are less likely to get flu, or if you do catch flu, it is less likely to be severe.
Find out more about the flu vaccine in pregnancy.
Whooping cough vaccine
Whooping cough can be 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 high levels of protection against serious whooping cough illness until they are able to have their whooping cough vaccination at 8 weeks old.
You usually have the whooping cough vaccine at 20 weeks pregnant, but you can have it from 16 weeks.
To give your baby the best protection against whooping cough, you should have the vaccine before 32 weeks of pregnancy. If for any reason you miss having the vaccine before 32 weeks, you can still have it later.
If you are 20 weeks pregnant and have not been offered the whooping cough vaccine, contact your midwife or GP surgery. Find out more about the whooping cough vaccine in pregnancy.
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common virus that causes coughs and colds. RSV usually gets better by itself, but it can be serious for babies.
RSV can cause serious lung infections (including pneumonia and bronchiolitis), which can make it difficult for babies to breathe and feed. These illnesses may need to be treated in hospital.
When you have the RSV vaccine in pregnancy, the protection from the vaccine is passed to your baby. This means your baby is less likely to get severe RSV for the first 6 months after they are born.
You should be offered the RSV vaccine around the time of your 28-week antenatal appointment. Getting vaccinated as soon as possible from 28 weeks will provide the best protection for your baby. But it can be given later if needed, including up until you go into labour.
Speak to your midwife if you are 28 weeks pregnant or more, and have not been offered the vaccine.
