The HSE has urged expectant mothers to avail of vaccines against serious diseases this winter to avoid illnesses to mother and baby which could complicate pregnancy.
Pregnant women are being advised to get the vaccines for flu, COVID-19 and whooping cough in order to offer themselves and their babies the best possible protection from the viruses.
The vaccines are available for free from participating GP practices and pharmacies.
Dr Aparna Keegan, Consultant in Public Health Medicine, HSE National Immunisation Office says that the vaccines provide an essential layer of safety to the mother and baby at a critical time in pregnancy.
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"The flu, COVID-19 and whooping cough vaccines are safe and highly effective in reducing the risk of severe illness, hospitalisation, and complications related to these infections.
"The protection they offer not only benefits the pregnant mother but also extends to the developing baby and provides crucial safeguarding in the early most vulnerable months of a child's life."
The flu vaccine is important for mothers to get due, and proceeding without it can increase the risk to the mother and baby of complications such as bronchitis – a chest infection that can develop into pneumonia.
In rare instances, flu infection during the pregnancy can cause stillbirth, maternal death and an increased risk of miscarriage.
Pregnant women have also been prioritised for the autumn COVID-19 booster as they are naturally at increased risk of severe COVID-19. Such infection can put their babies at risk of being born prematurely.
Lastly, the whooping cough vaccine can affect women between week 16 and 36 of pregnancy. Also known as pertussis, whooping cough is highly contagious and can be life-threatening for babies.
The vaccine stimulates your immune system to produce high levels of antibodies to the whooping cough bacteria.
These antibodies will also pass to your baby in the womb and protect you and them during the first few months of their life.
Dr Keegan added: "We strongly urge all pregnant women to boost their immunity this winter and get vaccinated. You can get the flu, COVID-19 and whooping cough vaccine at the same time."
Vaccine safety for pregnant women has been proven by extensive research and clinical evidence. The World Health Organisation and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control strongly endorse the use of vaccination to protect pregnancy mothers.
The vaccines given to pregnant women are made with inactivated or non-live components, which means they are safe for both the pregnant and the child.
If you are eager to learn more about vaccines, you can speak to your midwife, obstetrician or GP to get all the facts and make the most informed decision. Further information on pregnancy vaccines is available here.
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