Pregnancy and newborn
Find vaccination information for pre-pregnancy until 1 years of age below
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Pregnancy vaccines
Flu vaccine
If you’re pregnant, you can now get the flu vaccine to protect you and your baby ahead of winter.
During pregnancy, your immune system (the body’s natural defence) is weakened to protect the pregnancy. This can mean you’re less able to fight off infections. As the baby grows, you may be unable to breathe as deeply, increasing the risk of infections such as pneumonia.
These changes can raise the risk from flu – pregnant women are more likely to get flu complications than women who are not pregnant and are more likely to be admitted to hospital. Having the flu vaccine means you’re less likely to get flu.
It’s best to get vaccinated as soon as you can, especially if you’re near to your due date. Getting vaccinated will help protect your baby in the first few months after they’re born.
Pregnant women can speak to their midwife about how to get the flu vaccine at their scheduled maternity appointments, or by contacting their local GP practice or by visiting a community pharmacy.
Watch our videos which explain the importance of vaccinations in pregnancy
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Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
From 1 September 2024 the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine will be available to help protect young babies from becoming seriously unwell from the respiratory virus.
Who is eligible for the new vaccine:
- All pregnant women from 28 weeks pregnancy until delivery.
Where can I get the RSV vaccine in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland:
If you are currently pregnant there are several ways in which you can get the RSV vaccine this autumn. You can:
- Visit one of the mobile vaccination clinics across LLR. Mobile vaccination clinics offer all eligible people the opportunity to get vaccinated without booking an appointment and to walk-in when suitable for them. To view a full list of upcoming clinics, visit: www.leicesterleicestershireandrutland.icb.nhs.uk/how-to-get-your-vaccine/
- Attend one of the open access vaccination clinics in the antenatal departments at either the Leicester Royal Infirmary or the Leicester General Hospital every weekday, 9:00am until 4:30pm.
- Alternatively, you can access the vaccination from your GP practice.
*During pregnancy if you need any further information about the RSV vaccine you can speak to your midwife.
Severe RSV is most common in infants under one years old. Babies are particularly vulnerable to RSV lung infections as they have small airways and have limited immunity against the virus. RSV infection in infants can cause a condition called bronchiolitis which is inflammation and blockage of the small air tubes in the lung. Infants with severe bronchiolitis may need intensive care and the infection can be fatal.
The RSV vaccine boosts the pregnant woman’s immune system to make antibodies which are then passed through the placenta to help protect the baby from birth.
Vaccination reduces the risk of severe RSV lung infection requiring hospital admission by around 70% in the first six months of life.
Based on a recent study in the Lancet, in the East Midlands the new programme could prevent 388 hospital admissions and 1163 A&E attendances for infants each year – a critical, life-saving step forward to help front line staff prepare for increased winter pressures.
Whooping cough (Pertussis vaccine)
Cases of whooping cough, also known as pertussis, are rising locally. Babies that are too young to get vaccinated and young children are at greatest risk from developing whooping cough.
Who is eligible for the vaccine:
- The whooping cough vaccine is offered for pregnant women any time after 16 weeks of pregnancy (but ideally given between 16 and 32 weeks of pregnancy for best effect).
- Mothers with an infant less than two months of age who did not receive the vaccination during their pregnancy are also eligible for the vaccine.
Where can I get the whooping cough (pertussis) vaccine in Leicester, Leicestershire, and Rutland:
If you are currently pregnant there are several ways in which you can get the whooping cough (pertussis) vaccine. You can:
- Visit one of the mobile vaccination clinics across LLR. Mobile vaccination clinics offer all eligible people the opportunity to get vaccinated without booking an appointment and to walk-in when suitable for them. To view a full list of upcoming clinics, visit: www.leicesterleicestershireandrutland.icb.nhs.uk/how-to-get-your-vaccine/
- Attend one of the open access vaccination clinics in the antenatal departments at either the Leicester Royal Infirmary or the Leicester General Hospital every weekday, 9:00am until 4:30pm.
- Alternatively, you can access the vaccination from your GP practice.
*During pregnancy if you need any further information about the whooping cough vaccine you can speak to your midwife.
Whooping cough is 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 some protection until they’re able to have their whooping cough vaccination at 8 weeks old.
Find out more about the whooping cough vaccination in pregnancy
Coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine
The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has updated its advice for the autumn 2025 COVID-19 vaccination programme.
This winter the Covid-19 programme is changing to focus on vaccinating those at highest risk of serious disease. Therefore this autumn / winter the Covid-19 vaccine will only be offered to pregnant women who are immunosuppressed.
*If your pregnancy spans across both the spring/summer and autumn/winter offer you will need to have both vaccinations (if eligible) to offer the best possible protection to you and your baby.
Click here for more information on those who are immunosuppressed and the Covid-19 vaccination.
Newborn vaccinations
Your baby needs their first injections at 8 weeks of age starting with the 6-in-1 vaccine.
Vaccinations for babies are offered free of charge in the UK – just book your appointments with your GP practice or with your health visitor.
It’s important that vaccines are given on time for the best protection, but if your child missed a vaccine, contact your GP practice to catch up.
6-in-1 vaccine
The 6-in-1 vaccine helps protect against serious illnesses, like whooping cough. It’s given to babies when they’re 8, 12 and 16 weeks old.
What the 6-in-1 vaccine is for
The 6-in-1 vaccine protects babies against 6 serious illnesses:
Find out more about the 6-in-1 vaccine
Whooping cough (pertussis) rates have risen sharply in recent years and babies who are too young to start their vaccinations are at greatest risk.
Young babies with whooping cough are often very unwell and most will be admitted to hospital because of their illness. When whooping cough is particularly severe, they can die.
The whooping cough vaccine protects babies and children from getting whooping cough. That’s why it’s important to have all the routine NHS vaccinations.
Rotavirus vaccine
The rotavirus vaccine helps protect against rotavirus, a common cause of diarrhoea and vomiting. It’s given to babies when they’re 8 and 12 weeks old.
MenB vaccine
The MenB vaccine helps protect against meningococcal group B bacteria that can cause serious illnesses, including:
- meningitis (an infection in the brain and spinal cord)
- septicaemia (blood poisoning)
- sepsis (a life-threatening reaction to an infection)
It’s given to children when they’re 8 weeks, 16 weeks and 1 year old.
Pneumococcal vaccine
The pneumococcal vaccine helps protect against some types of bacterial infections that can cause serious illnesses like:
- meningitis (an infection in the brain and spinal cord)
- sepsis (a life-threatening reaction to an infection)
- pneumonia (an infection in the lungs)
It can also help protect against other illnesses such as sinusitis and ear infections.
It’s given to babies when they are 12 weeks and a booster dose at 1 year.
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