Flu can be life-threatening for a pregnant woman and her baby.

North Coast Primary Health Network advises that getting a flu shot is the best protection, and the vaccine is safe for both mother and baby when given any time during pregnancy.

Important protection

Getting a flu shot while pregnant also helps give a newborn some protection against influenza in the first few months after birth. This is important because babies aged less than six months are too young to get a flu vaccine and the antibodies produced will help protect them early in life. 

Flu shots are free for pregnant women and available at any general practice and some pharmacies.

A flu shot can’t give you the flu

It’s reassuring to know that the flu shot can’t give you the flu. Any mild symptoms some people might get after a flu shot are usually related to the vaccine generating an immune response. This is how vaccines work – by training the immune system to recognise parts of the flu virus so it can respond more effectively when it encounters the real thing. There is no ‘live virus’ in the flu shot. Your body responds to parts of the flu virus in the vaccine; you cannot catch the flu from a flu shot.

GP Helpline

If you or a loved one comes down with a flu-like illness during the night or after business hours, you can call the After Hours GP Helpline for advice.

This free 24 hours a day, 7 days a week service links you up with a registered nurse. The helpline number is 1800 022 222.

Please call Triple 0 immediately if you feel your situation is life-threatening, or go directly to the nearest hospital Emergency Department.