Pregnant women can now get a free RSV shot. What other vaccines do you need when you’re expecting?

Protection Against RSV for Mums and Bubs with Free Vaccine Available from 3 February

From today, pregnant women in Australia will be eligible for a free RSV vaccine under the National Immunisation Program. This vaccine is designed to protect young infants from severe RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) by generating the production of antibodies against RSV in the mother, which then travel across the placenta to the baby.

The RSV Vaccine

RSV is the most common cause of lower respiratory infections (bronchiolitis and pneumonia) in infants. It’s estimated that of every 100 infants born in Australia each year, at least two will be hospitalised with RSV by six months of age. The vaccine works by conferring passive immunity (from the mother) as opposed to active immunity (the baby’s own immune response). By the time the baby is born, their antibodies are sufficient to protect them during the first months of life when they are most vulnerable to severe RSV disease.

Flu and Whooping Cough

It’s also important pregnant women continue to receive flu and whooping cough vaccines in 2025. Like the RSV vaccine, these protect infants by passing antibodies from mother to baby. There has been a large whooping cough outbreak in Australia in recent months, including a death of a two-month-old infant in Queensland in November 2024. The whooping cough vaccine, given in combination with diphtheria and tetanus, prevents more than 90% of whooping cough cases in babies too young to receive their first whooping cough vaccine dose.

When and Where Can You Get Vaccinated?

Pregnant women can receive these vaccines during antenatal visits through their GP or in a specialised antenatal clinic. The flu vaccine is recommended at any time during pregnancy, the whooping cough vaccine from 20 weeks (ideally before 32 weeks), and the RSV vaccine from 28 weeks (before 36 weeks). It’s safe to receive multiple vaccinations at the same clinic visit.

Conclusion

We know vaccination rates have declined in a variety of groups since the pandemic, and there’s evidence emerging that suggests this trend has occurred in pregnant women too. It’s important to work to improve vaccination rates during pregnancy to give babies the best protection in their first months of life. We know pregnant women would like to receive information about new and routine maternal vaccines early in pregnancy. GPs and midwives are trusted sources of information on vaccines in pregnancy. There’s also information available online on Sharing Knowledge About Immunisation a collaboration led by the National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance.

FAQs

* Who is eligible for the RSV vaccine? Pregnant women in Australia are eligible for the RSV vaccine under the National Immunisation Program.
* How does the RSV vaccine work? The RSV vaccine generates the production of antibodies against RSV in the mother, which then travel across the placenta to the baby, providing passive immunity.
* Is the RSV vaccine safe? Yes, the RSV vaccine is safe and has been used in the Americas and Europe since 2023.
* When can I get vaccinated? Pregnant women can receive these vaccines during antenatal visits through their GP or in a specialised antenatal clinic.
* What other vaccines are recommended for pregnant women? In addition to the RSV vaccine, pregnant women are recommended to receive flu and whooping cough vaccines in 2025.