This time last year we wrote about an important new vaccine against RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) for older Australians and that we were hopeful a vaccine for pregnant women would be here soon. And we’re happy to report some good news – it’s here! And in even better news, it is funded by the National Immunisation Program, meaning it is free for pregnant women. It is recommended to be given from 28 – 36 weeks.
The RSV vaccine (called Abrysvo) for pregnant women is designed to protect their babies from RSV, a highly contagious and potentially severe respiratory infection that hospitalised 12,000 infants last year, a record year for RSV in Australia. The vaccine stimulates the production of protective antibodies in the mother, which cross the placenta to protect the baby for the first few, crucial months of life when the risk of complications from RSV is highest. The vaccine has been in use overseas since 2023 and is showing a 70-80% reduction in severe illness in babies, with an excellent safety profile.
So, if you’re pregnant and approaching the 28-week mark, make sure you discuss getting the Abrysvo vaccine at your next doctor’s visit.
Other vaccines recommended in pregnancy
Influenza
Influenza can be a particularly nasty illness in pregnant women, as well as for babies under the age of 6 months (too young to receive their own flu vaccine). It is safe at any stage of pregnancy and can be given at the same time as other vaccines, including the new RSV vaccine. And, like the RSV vaccine, it’s free for pregnant women.
It is also particularly recommended that children aged 6 months-5 years receive a flu vaccine – this will not only protect them but also their new baby brother or sister!
Whooping Cough
Whooping cough (pertussis) is another nasty disease for newborns who are too young to have received their first vaccination and tragically, it can be fatal. Last year was a record year for whooping cough in Australia with over 54,000 cases reported. Vaccination in pregnancy has been shown to prevent a dramatic 90% (!) of whooping cough cases in newborn babies, again via protective antibodies passed from mother to baby via the placenta.
The ideal time to receive the whooping cough vaccine in pregnancy is from 20 weeks up to 32 weeks – this ensures maximum protection for the baby once it’s born. But it can be given right up until delivery and can be given at the same time as RSV and influenza vaccines. Whooping cough vaccination is recommended during each pregnancy. It’s worth considering asking the other adults who might be in contact with your baby in those first few months of life to be vaccinated too.
COVID-19
Whilst boosters for COVID-19 are not routinely recommended in pregnancy (unless there are other risk factors), it is certainly something to consider if you’ve never been vaccinated against COVID-19. COVID infection can be serious for an unvaccinated pregnant woman (and her unborn baby). Remember when the COVID vaccine rollout was staggered to preserve supply by vaccinating high risk groups first? Pregnant women were high on that priority list. COVID vaccination is safe at any stage of pregnancy and can be given at the same time as flu, RSV and whooping cough vaccines.
For more information on recommended vaccines in pregnancy, see your GP for advice that’s tailored to you.
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