Flu Vaccination in Pregnancy
If you are pregnant, you are at higher risk of complications from flu. The flu can also affect your baby. The flu vaccine protects pregnant women during pregnancy and protects their newborn baby during their first months of life.
Over the coming months we will be changing our name from LloydsPharmacy to McCabes Pharmacy. The name on the outside of the pharmacy will be changing, but the friendly faces, the expert advice and the great value in store will stay the same, so call in and say hello to the people you know.
Where is this service available?
This service is available in select LloydsPharmacy stores.
You can use our online booking tool to book your appointment or call into your local store.
Why should you get the flu vaccination during pregnancy?
Contracting the flu while pregnant is very dangerous and can lead to several problems. The most common side effect of the flu is bronchitis, a chest infection that can progress to pneumonia if left untreated. This becomes more serious when pregnant.
These potential problems in pregnancy include hospitalisation, premature birth, a lower birth weight and even stillbirth.
Receiving the flu vaccination during pregnancy can protect your unborn baby from the virus for up to six months after birth. Additionally, it may prevent you from contracting the flu and spreading it to your child.
Is the flu vaccination safe in pregnancy?
The flu vaccination is extremely safe for pregnant women and their unborn babies. According to studies, getting the flu vaccination at any point in pregnancy, from the very beginning until the due date is safe.
The vaccination you receive is called the quadrivalent influenza vaccine (QIV).
When should you get the flu vaccine?
Each year, the flu vaccine is available from September through to the end of April. At any stage during your pregnancy, you can receive the vaccine. However, aim to receive it as soon as you can during your pregnancy.
Even though it's preferable to have the vaccine early on in flu season, you could still obtain it later in the winter. If you find out you're pregnant later in the flu season and haven’t already been vaccinated, you can still get the vaccine.
The COVID-19 vaccine can be administered at the same time. Regardless of whether you have previously had the COVID-19 vaccine, you should still obtain the flu vaccination. The best time to get vaccinated against the flu is in the autumn, before it begins to spread.
What are the side effects of the flu vaccine?
You can experience some minor adverse effects following vaccination. These may consist of:
- Swelling, redness, or pain where the injection was administered
- Fever (excessive fever, 38 degrees Celsius or higher)
- Light perspiration and shivering
- Headache
- Aches
- Feeling tired
Take paracetamol and get some rest if you have any of these adverse effects. It's safe to consume paracetamol while pregnant. It will prevent a fever. Ibuprofen should not be taken unless your GP advises you to do so. Most reactions are minor, and severe side effects such severe allergic reactions are quite uncommon.
Do I still need to get the flu vaccination if I had it last year?
Yes, as the flu viruses changes each year. As a result, this year's flu strains may be different from previous years and the vaccine used to protect against them may differ. As well as this, the flu vaccination effectiveness deteriorates over time.
If you received the flu vaccine during the previous flu season because you were pregnant (during that pregnancy or an earlier pregnancy), or because you belong to a vulnerable group, you should receive it again this season.
How do I obtain the flu vaccination?
You can have your flu vaccination administered in your local LloydsPharmacy. You can book an appointment through our online booking tool.
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