The flu vaccine is safe during all stages of pregnancy.
If someone who is pregnant gets flu, their baby is more likely to be born early, have a low birthweight, be stillborn or die within their first week. The vaccine also helps protect the baby in the first four to six months of life, when flu can be very serious.
You should have the flu vaccine as soon as you know you are pregnant (if the vaccine is available). You can have it at the same time as the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine, whooping cough vaccine, and COVID-19 vaccine if needed, but don't delay your flu vaccine simply so you can have other vaccines at the same time.
If you are pregnant, you can get your flu vaccine at your general practice, or via a community pharmacy. In some areas of Wales, midwives can give flu vaccines.
The flu vaccine is recommended every time you are pregnant, even if you have had the vaccine before.
Getting vaccinated each flu season protects you against new strains of the virus and reduces the risk of spreading flu to your baby. The immunity you get from the vaccine will pass to your baby through the placenta. The placenta is on the inside of your womb and links your blood supply with your unborn baby.
In winter, thousands of people will die from flu-related illnesses in the UK. Having a flu vaccine every year is one of the best ways to help protect you and your baby against flu.