Vaccinations for Women
Vaccinations help to Protect Yourself and Your Loved Ones
Maintaining good health is essential for everyone, but for those who are pregnant or planning to conceive, it’s even more crucial to be proactive in preventing illness. One of the most effective ways to protect your health and the health of your loved ones is through vaccination.
The Importance of Vaccinations for Women
Vaccinations are a vital part of preventive healthcare, helping to protect against serious and potentially life-threatening diseases. For women who are pregnant, vaccinations reduce the risk of serious illness in the mother and the chance of complications with the pregnancy and the unborn baby. Antibodies that fight against infection continue to protect the newborn after birth until they are old enough to receive their own vaccines.
Vaccinations for Women’s Health
Influenza (flu) vaccination: The flu can be particularly dangerous for pregnant women and their unborn babies. The influenza vaccine can be safely administered during pregnancy and breastfeeding and is recommended to be administered to all women who are pregnant. It helps protect against the current circulating strains of the flu virus, reducing the risk of severe illness and complications.
The influenza vaccine is available for free for those women that are pregnant, that have a specified medical risk condition or are of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent through the National Immunisation Program.
More information on the flu vaccination can be found.
Whooping cough (pertussis) vaccination: Whooping cough is a highly contagious respiratory disease that can be life-threatening for newborns. The pertussis vaccine, often administered as part of the dTpa (diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis) vaccine, is recommended to be administered to pregnant women preferably at 20 to 32 weeks. This vaccination helps protect the mother from the illness and importantly, provides antibodies that are passed to the baby, offering early protection after birth.
The pertussis vaccine is available for free for pregnant women through the National Immunisation Program. Women who did not receive a pertussis-containing vaccine during their pregnancy are advised to receive one as soon as possible after birth. Breastfeeding women can receive pertussis-containing vaccines.
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccination: This virus causes upper and lower respiratory tract infection which can cause severe disease, particularly in the very young and older people. Women who are pregnant are recommended to receive the RSV vaccine at 28-36 weeks to provide protection to their infants. There is no requirement for women who are breastfeeding but not pregnant to receive the RSV vaccine. People aged over 75 years are recommended to receive the RSV vaccine.
COVID-19 vaccination: The COVID-19 vaccination protects against the COVID-19 virus. Adults who have not received a COVID-19 vaccine previously are recommended to receive one. Further doses are recommended for all adults aged over 75 years. Women who are pregnant and have not received a COVID-19 vaccine previously are at a higher risk of severe disease from COVID-19 and are recommended to receive their primary course. The COVID-19 vaccine can be safely administered to women who are breastfeeding.
More information on the COVID-19 vaccination can be found .
Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination: The HPV vaccine protects against the human papillomavirus, which can lead to cervical and other cancers. This vaccination is recommended for adolescents and young adults aged between 9 and 25 years. The HPV vaccine is not recommended during pregnancy, so women planning to conceive should complete the vaccination series beforehand. Women who are breastfeeding may safely receive the HPV vaccine.
The HPV vaccine is available for free for young people aged 9 to 25 years through the National Immunisation Program and is usually given to adolescents in Year 7 (12-13 years) for free at school.
Amcal. For You. For Life.
How Amcal Pharmacy Supports your Vaccination Needs
At Amcal, we are dedicated to providing comprehensive healthcare services, including an accessible vaccination program. Our trained pharmacists can administer vaccines and provide information on the best vaccination schedule based on your age and medical conditions.
Vaccinations are a key component of preventive healthcare, especially for women who are pregnant or planning to conceive. By staying up to date with recommended vaccines, you can protect yourself and your loved ones from serious diseases. If you are caring for children, family or older people, further information on vaccinations for the family can be found . If you are planning on travelling soon, more information on travel vaccines is available .
Visit your local Amcal to learn more about our vaccination services and how we can support your health journey. Our pharmacists are here to provide expert advice, ensuring you have the information and protection you need.
References:
- Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care, About immunisation, https://www.health.gov.au/topics/immunisation/about-immunisation
- Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care, Immunisation for Pregnancy, https://www.health.gov.au/topics/immunisation/when-to-get-vaccinated/immunisation-for-pregnancy
- Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care, Influenza Immunisation, https://www.health.gov.au/topics/immunisation/vaccines/influenza-flu-vaccine
- Healthdirect Australia, Flu Vaccine, https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/flu-vaccine-faqs
- Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care, Whooping Cough Immunisation, https://www.health.gov.au/topics/immunisation/vaccines/whooping-cough-pertussis-immunisation-service
- Healthdirect Australia, Whooping Cough Vaccine, https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/whooping-cough#:~:text=The%20whooping%20cough%20vaccine%20is,your%20symptoms%20may%20be%20mild
- Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care, Australian Immunisation Handbook: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), https://immunisationhandbook.health.gov.au/contents/vaccine-preventable-diseases/respiratory-syncytial-virus-rsv
- Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care, Australian Immunisation Handbook: COVID-19, https://immunisationhandbook.health.gov.au/contents/vaccine-preventable-diseases/covid-19
- Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care, HPV Immunisation, https://www.health.gov.au/topics/immunisation/vaccines/human-papillomavirus-hpv-immunisation-service
This webpage is for general information only. Always seek the guidance of your pharmacist or other qualified health professional with any questions you may have regarding your health, vaccinations or a medical condition.
We acknowledge individuals in the transgender community and people who are non-binary who might not identify as women. Efforts have been made to use neutral language. Where the word ‘woman’ has been used, we include all people with a uterus.
Last reviewed: 10 Oct 2024