Pregnancy is a time where families are busy planning for their precious new arrivals, and as part of the planning health professionals are reminding all expectant mothers about the importance of getting all their maternal vaccinations when offered. This currently, routinely includes:
- Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) offered from 28 weeks until birth
- whooping cough (pertussis) offered between 16 – 32 weeks
- Flu – any gestation of pregnancy
The RSV vaccine is particularly important to have now if your baby is due to be born during winter as this is when the virus is spreading rapidly and 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 and could be life threatening.
My baby and me – 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 six months after they’re born.
Having the vaccine in week 28 or within a few weeks of this will help you build a good level of antibodies to pass on to your baby before birth. This will give your baby the best protection, including if they are born early.
For more information about how and where to get vaccinated speak to your midwife, GP practice or visit one of our walk-in clinics.