Factsheets

The influenza vaccine for pregnant women

Getting vaccinated against influenza (also known as ‘the flu’) during pregnancy will protect both you and your baby from a highly contagious viral infection that can have serious complications. The vaccine is free for all pregnant women in Australia, and is recommended for every pregnancy.

The whooping cough vaccine for pregnant women

Whooping cough, also known as pertussis, is a serious infection that can cause severe illness and even death in babies under six months. Getting vaccinated against whooping cough during pregnancy is the most effective way to protect both you and your baby. It is recommended that you have a whooping cough vaccination every time you are pregnant, ideally between 20 and 32 weeks. The vaccine is free for all pregnant women in Australia

The hepatitis B vaccine for newborns

Babies under one year who catch hepatitis B can develop chronic hepatitis B, which can lead to liver disease and liver cancer in adulthood. Babies are most at risk of catching hepatitis B at birth, which is why it is recommended that all babies are vaccinated against hepatitis B within 24 hours of being born. In Australia, the vaccine is free for all newborn babies.

Factsheet references

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The development of this content was led by the Murdoch Children's Research Institute for the MumBubVax website (now archived).