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Talk to your GP about immunisation protection Immunisation can protect you, your unborn baby and your newborn against some infectious diseases. These diseases can cause serious harm to you and your baby. Immunisation uses the body’s natural defences – its immune response – to build resistance to specific infections. It is important you discuss immunisation with your GP early in your pregnancy. What diseases can my baby and l be protected against? BEFORE pregnancy... Measles, mumps and rubella (MMR, which includes German measles) If you were born after 1965 you may be under-immunised against these diseases. Rubella infection during pregnancy can cause serious birth defects in a newborn baby. It is important to have a rubella blood test before each pregnancy to check that your protection is still adequate. It is recommended you wait four weeks after receiving the MMR vaccine before trying to get pregnant. Pertussis (whooping cough) – Boostrix Parents, grandparents, carers and babies can all be protected from whooping cough. Babies younger than six months or who have not yet received their third set of infant immunisations are most at risk of serious disease and death from whooping cough. The whooping cough vaccine also protects against diphtheria and tetanus. Varicella (chickenpox) If you cannot remember if you have had chickenpox, a blood test will show if you need to be immunised. Chickenpox infection in pregnancy can cause severe illness in you and your unborn baby. It is recommended you wait four weeks after receiving the varicella vaccine before trying to get pregnant. DURING pregnancy... Influenza (flu) Flu is a serious disease and pregnancy is known to increase the risk of complications from flu infection. Flu immunisation is especially recommended for pregnant women because they are at higher risk of severe complications. The flu vaccine is safe for pregnant women at any stage in the pregnancy, including in the first trimester. Pertussis A Boostrix vaccination is currently recommended from the third trimester, even if you have had one before pregnancy. Vaccinating against flu and whooping cough during pregnancy also protects your baby during the first vulnerable months of life. AFTER pregnancy... If you did not receive these vaccines before or during pregnancy, you can have them after your baby has been born. A Boostrix vaccination to prevent whooping cough is still valuable after pregnancy – please discuss with your GP. Other immunisations may be recommended by your GP. Is flu immunisation safe during pregnancy? Yes. The Australian National Health and Medical Research Council actively encourage flu immunisation during pregnancy and regard it as a safe vaccine to be administered before, during and after pregnancy. This includes seasonal and H1N1 influenza vaccines. If I have recently been immunised do I need to wait to get pregnant? What about fathers, grandparents and others who care for my baby? It is recommended you wait for four weeks after receiving the MMR or varicella (chickenpox) vaccine before trying to get pregnant. However, it is unlikely there will be any problems. Talk to your GP if you are concerned. Women should not receive MMR or varicella vaccines if they are already pregnant. Recent studies have shown over half of Australian babies hospitalised with whooping cough caught it from their parents. Is it safe to get immunised while breastfeeding? Immunising parents, grandparents and carers reduces the chance of passing the disease on to newborn babies. Yes. All the vaccines listed in this brochure are considered safe for breastfeeding mothers. What about my baby? It is recommended all babies be immunised as instructed by the National Immunisation Program which starts at birth. Need to know more? Immunise Australia immunise.health.gov.au National Centre for Immunisation Research & Surveillance ncirs.edu.au Mercy Hospital for Women mercyhealth.com.au North East Valley Division of General Practice nevdgp.org.au Acknowledging the assistance and permissions provided by the ACT Division of General Practice. P1584 09/15 Whooping cough and flu immunisation is strongly recommended for all people who care for your baby, to reduce the risk of infection. It is safe for them to have these vaccines while you are pregnant. Other vaccines may also be important and advised by your GP. The importance of immunisation mercyhealth.com.au