Vaccinations in Pregnancy - Best for babies and parents

Pregnancy is the start of a journey filled with hope, expectation and, also, some uncertainties. We do our best to eat well, stay active and avoid anything that might be harmful so that we can give babies their best possible start in life. Vaccinations are an important part of the choices that keep babies and parents safe. Claire Cameron, Consultant in Public Health at Public Health Scotland, shares her thoughts and expertise.

Pregnancy is also the start of an immunisation journey. We’re all familiar with the vaccines that are offered to us throughout our lives to protect us from diseases. Those offered during pregnancy can protect mothers and their babies from the risks of serious illness - both during pregnancy and on into babies’ early vital days.

In Scotland, we currently offer four vaccinations during pregnancy

Throughout the year, we vaccinate against pertussis (also known as whooping cough) and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). In the winter months (September – March), when viruses circulate more, we also offer protection from flu and COVID-19.

Although the RSV vaccine is a new offer in Scotland, more than 100,000 pregnant women and babies in the USA and Europe have already benefited from its protection. The flu vaccine has been offered since 2009, whooping cough since 2012, and COVID-19 since 2021, and so we have strong evidence that they help keep mothers and babies safe.

Our vaccines are tried and tested

The vaccines on offer in Scotland are in line with best international practice and World Health Organization recommendations. They’re backed up by evidence and by the experience of the vaccines being given during millions of pregnancies worldwide.

Relationships and trust are important

Everyone providing clinical care throughout pregnancy has an important role in being able to highlight the recommended vaccines, answer any questions, and help people get access to the vaccines. This is particularly the case for midwives who are so central in this important period. It has consistently been shown that healthcare professionals are the most trusted source of information on vaccines. This is especially true in pregnancy when people already have a trusting relationship with that professional.

Excellent resources offer current and complete information

Public Health Scotland has published information, videos and downloadable leaflets for professionals to help inform conversations about vaccines. There are also dedicated immunisation pages on NHS Education for Scotland which aim to help healthcare professionals support and advocate for people in their care.

Information for parents-to-be can be found on NHS inform, including videos and information in other formats and languages.

Vaccinations are about care

Caring for a baby with a serious disease early on in their life can be very distressing and have long lasting consequences. This has been painfully apparent this year when more than 10 babies in the UK have died from whooping cough. Many of these babies were less than three months old. Uptake of the whooping cough vaccine in pregnancy has been falling and we must all encourage more people to get vaccinated.

With the recent introduction of RSV vaccine, parents have been telling their stories of babies being ill with this infection - hospitalised and struggling to breathe - while their parents wished that a vaccine could have prevented these serious illnesses and ongoing complications. Read Avery’s, Lois’s and Leo’s stories.

We can all work together to give babies the best possible start in life, whether pregnant ourselves, providing direct care, or working with others in wider supportive services. Immunisation is an important part of this. We all have a role to play and, at Public Health Scotland, we’re working hard to ensure that as many babies as possible are protected against vaccine-preventable and life-threatening diseases.