Immunisation and pregnancy
immunisations; pregnancy; immunise; vaccines; vaccinations; chicken; pox; varicella; influenza; measles; mumps; rubella; pneumococcal; pertussis; whooping; cough; hepatitis; vaccinated;
If you are planning to become pregnant it is advisable to speak to your doctor to check that you have protection against certain diseases. Some diseases can cause serious illness in pregnant women, the unborn child or the newborn baby.
Immunisation before, during or after pregnancy can protect against such diseases.
To find out more:
South Australian Health Department fact sheets:
What diseases can you be protected from?
- Measles, mumps, and rubella
- Varicella (chickenpox)
- Hepatitis B
- Pertussis (whooping cough)
Immunisations during pregnancy
During pregnancy it is recommended that you get immunised against influenza and whooping cough unless you have already been recently immunised against them.
It is safe to be immunised against influenza and whooping cough during pregnancy.
- The flu vaccine is free for all pregnant women in South Australia. Flu vaccine is very safe and can be given at any time during pregnancy.
- Pregnant women can help protect their newborn from whooping cough by getting immunised in the third trimester (the last 3 months of pregnancy). The whooping cough vaccine is free in South Australia for pregnant women in their third trimester.
Whooping cough immunisation for other people who will be in contact with your baby
Anyone who will have close contact with the baby should also be immunised against whooping cough. This includes dads, grandparents, carers and any other adults or children in the household who will have close contact with the baby in the early weeks of life. Adults can access the vaccine at a cost - the immunisations are not free.
Where can you get more information?
- See your doctor or local immunisation provider for further information on immunisation and vaccines
- Speak to your midwife
- In South Australia contact the Immunisation Section, Department of Health, Communicable Disease Control Branch Telephone: 1300 232 272
- Parent Helpline (South Australia) 1300 364 100
The NHMRC Australian Immunisation Handbook 10th Edition, Updated 2017
The information on this site should not be used as an alternative to professional care. If you have a particular problem, see your doctor or midwife.