Vaccinations in pregnancy
All pregnant women booked to deliver their baby with Northumbria Healthcare are offered their recommended pregnancy vaccinations at their routine ultrasound scan appointments and at our regular drop in sessions - see below for details.
This includes seasonal flu (Sept – March), pertussis (whooping cough) and the Covid-19 booster when applicable. From 1 September 2024, all pregnant women will be offered the RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) vaccination when they are 28 weeks pregnant, as part of the routine vaccination programme.
For more information on recommended vaccinations in pregnancy:
RSV vaccination - A guide to RSV vaccination for pregnant women - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Seasonal flu - https://
Pertussis (whooping cough) - https://
Flu vaccination
Seasonal influenza vaccination is available from 1st September 2025 and is recommended for all pregnant women, at any gestation of pregnancy.
Being pregnant can put you at risk of being seriously ill if you get flu. Getting the vaccine helps keep you and your baby safe and helps protect your baby for the first few months after they are born.
Watch some short videos below from Helen and Ridhi about why they choose to get vaccinated to protect themselves and their baby.
Our maternity vaccinator, Brooke, explains in a short video the importance of getting vaccinated during pregnancy.
Pregnancy vaccination sessions
Vaccines are available in the Antenatal Clinics at North Tyneside and Wansbeck Hospitals, Monday - Friday 09:00 - 16:00. You will be offered your vaccinations during your routine clinic antenatal clinic appointment. If you are unable to attend, or miss an appointment, we have drop-in sessions available every Friday at North Tyneside and Wansbeck Antenatal Clinics.
If you see your Midwife in one of our Midwifery Led Units, you will be offered your vaccination there. Please speak to your midwife for more information.
For more information on vaccination appointments, please call our dedicated vaccination team on: 0191 349 9643
You can also drop in to North Tyneside General Hospital Antenatal Clinics every Friday 9:00 am - 4:00 pm for your vaccines - no appointment needed.
Family Hub drop in clinics
Come along to your local Family Hub and receive any of your pregnancy vaccinations.
Every week, starting from Monday 8 September 2025
Monday
12:30pm - 3:30pm Riverside Family Hub, Minton Lane, North Sheilds NE29 6DQ
Tuesday
09:00am - 11:30am Blyth Central Family Hub, 103 Wright Street, Blyth NE24 1HG
12:30pm - 3:30pm Howdon Family Hub, 11A Howdon Lane, Wallsend NE28 0AL
Wednesday
09.00am – 3.30pm Ashington Family Hub, Alexandra Road, Ashington, NE63 9EF
Thursday
09.00am – 3.30pm Blyth West Family Hub, Devonworth Place, Blyth NE24 5AQ
Friday
09.00am – 3.30pm Bedlington Family Hub, Stead Lane, Bedlington NE22 5JS
09.00am – 12.00pm Cedarwood Centre, The Avenue, Avon Ave, North Shields NE29 7QT
RSV vaccination
What is it?
From 1 September 2024, pregnant women can have a free vaccine in each pregnancy, to protect their babies against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). The vaccine is offered from 28-weeks of pregnancy.
RSV is a common virus which can cause a lung infection called bronchiolitis. In small babies this condition can make it hard to breathe and to feed. Most cases can be managed at home but around 20,000 infants are admitted to hospital with bronchiolitis each year in England. Infants with severe bronchiolitis may need intensive care and the infection can be fatal. RSV is more likely to be serious in very young babies, those born prematurely, and those with conditions that affect their heart, breathing or immune system.
How will it protect my baby?
The vaccine boosts your immune system to produce more antibodies against the virus. These antibodies then pass through the placenta to help protect your baby from the day they are born. RSV vaccination reduces the risk of severe bronchiolitis by 70% in the first 6 months of life. After this age your baby is at much lower risk of severe RSV.
Is it safe?
The vaccine has been studied in clinical trials of almost 4,000 women and been given to many thousands of women in national programmes.
Monitoring in the USA, where it has been given to over 300,000 women, has shown a good safety profile. The vaccine has been approved by medicines regulators in the UK, Europe and USA on the basis of protection, quality and safety. For more information: Why vaccination is important and the safest way to protect yourself - NHS
Postnatal MMR vaccination
Measles cases are rising again in the UK. Many children and adults are catching measles because not enough people are fully vaccinated. To stop measles spreading, it’s important that everyone who can be protected, is protected.
- It is a live vaccine, so it is not given during pregnancy, but it is safe to have after your baby is born, even if you are breastfeeding.
- This vaccine protects you and helps protect future pregnancies from rubella infection in pregnancy can cause serious birth defects (congenital rubella syndrome).
You can access a postnatal MMR vaccination at any of our drop in sessions at NTGH or WGH every Friday or any of the Family Hub sessions.
2-3 year old Nasal Flu vaccination offer
At our Family Hub sessions, we can also offer the nasal flu vaccination to eligible 2 and 3 yr olds (your child must have turned 2 by 31st August 2025). Drop in to any of the sessions to access the vaccination.
- The child flu vaccine reduces your child’s chance of needing hospital care for flu by around two thirds.
- Vaccinating your child helps protect them from flu and prevent it spreading among vulnerable family and friends
- The child flu vaccine is given as a quick and painless spray up the nose.