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Why Pregnancy Vaccinations Matter
Vaccinations during pregnancy are a vital part of protecting both mother and baby from serious illnesses. The immune system naturally weakens during pregnancy, making expectant mothers more vulnerable to infections. Pregnancy vaccinations help bridge this gap by offering targeted protection that also benefits the baby.
Key Benefits
- Protects the Mother: Vaccines like the flu jab reduce the risk of severe illness such as pneumonia, which pregnant women are more susceptible to.
- Protects the Baby: Vaccines such as the whooping cough and RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) vaccines allow protective antibodies to pass from mother to baby. This shields newborns during their first vulnerable months before they can receive their own vaccinations.
- Reduces Hospital Admissions: Babies born to vaccinated mothers are less likely to suffer from severe infections that require hospitalisation.
Recommended Vaccines
- Flu Vaccine: Safe during any stage of pregnancy; helps prevent complications from seasonal flu.
- Whooping Cough Vaccine: Best administered between 16–32 weeks; protects newborns from a potentially life-threatening illness.
- RSV Vaccine: Offered from 28 weeks; helps prevent serious respiratory infections in infants.
Vaccination is a simple, safe, and effective way to ensure a healthier start for your baby and a safer pregnancy for you. Always consult your midwife or GP to discuss the best timing and options for your pregnancy vaccinations.
Local Support
Kent Family
Find ways to support your child’s development and to help them be happy and healthy.
National Support
Best Start In Life
Supporting families every step of the way
From wobbly first steps to confident first days at school, Best Start in Life is here to support families through every stage of early childhood. Whether you're expecting a baby or navigating childcare and education, you'll find trusted advice, practical tools, and local support to help your child thrive.
What you’ll find on the best start in life hub
Explore a wide range of resources tailored to your child’s age and development:
- Health and wellbeing advice for expectant parents
- Support with infant feeding, sleep routines, and bonding
- Baby development tips including tummy time and sensory play
Toddler to pre-school
- Language and emotional development activities
- Parenting courses and behaviour support
- Ideas for play and learning at home
Starting school
- School readiness checklists and fun ways to build key skills
- Guidance for children with SEND
- Wraparound childcare and breakfast club information
Best start family hubs
Local one-stop centres offering:
- Stay-and-play sessions
- Parenting advice
- Health services
- SEND support
- Help with housing, finance, and more
Tools and checkers
- Childcare support eligibility checker
- Information on 15 to 30 hours free childcare
- Access to free breakfast clubs and early education offers
Explore all the resources and support available on the Best Start For Life website
The Breastfeeding Network
Independent breastfeeding support and information
Visit the Breastfeeding Network website
Early Learning and Development
Find lots of ideas, easy tips and activities you can do together with your child.
Visit the Better Health website
The National Childbirth Trust
Their mission is to support parents through the first 1,000 days, to have the best possible experience of pregnancy, birth and early parenthood.
Visit the The National Childbirth Trust website
ICON
Baby crying is normal, you can cope. Please follow the ICON guidance for coping with crying.
The Lullaby Trust
The Lullaby Trust raises awareness of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), provides expert advice on safer sleep for babies and offers emotional support for bereaved families.
Visit the The Lullaby Trust website
TAMBA (Twins and Multiple Births Association)
Tamba is a UK based charity helping people around the world. They were set up by parents of multiples and interested professionals in 1978.
Baby Centre
BabyCentre® reaches more than 45 million mums globally each month in nine different languages, including eight in 10 new and expecting mums online in the UK.