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Dr Rahul Sen | Specialist care for birth and beyond | Sydney, Australia

Clinic conveniently located in Edgecliff : Freecall 1800 890 964

The two vaccinations that are recommended in pregnancy are the Influenza vaccine and Pertussis (whooping cough) booster. I strongly recommend the Flu vaccine if you will be pregnant during winter.  The seasonal vaccine is available in March each year and covers the latest Influenza strains.  It is supplied free to pregnant women by the government, and is available through your GP.  It can be given safely in any trimester of pregnancy.  You should consider it if travelling overseas in summer.

I also recommend vaccination against Pertussis (whooping cough) for you, your partner and all the baby’s close contacts, especially grandparents.  Whooping cough is not usually a problem during pregnancy, however it can be a very serious infection for newborn babies and infants.  It is given together with Tetanus and Diphtheria.  You can have the booster with your GP in the third trimester or soon after the birth, before leaving hospital, but during pregnancy is far better, as the baby receives passive immunity.  I recommend having the booster at 28-32 weeks in every pregnancy.