Protection for you means protection for two+
Answering your questions and giving you evidence-based information to make your decisions about vaccination during pregnancy.
Browse topics
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Getting Vaccinated
Learn more about the vaccines recommended during pregnancy and when to get them.
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Common Questions
Get evidence-based answers to all your questions about vaccination in pregnancy.
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Helpful Resources
Learn more about the vaccines recommended during pregnancy and how they work.
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Support Persons
Find tips for supporting your loved one through their pregnancy journey.
Which vaccines are recommended in pregnancy?
Getting vaccinated in pregnancy helps protect you from serious illness while you're pregnant and also helps protect your baby in the first few months after birth, when they need it the most. Click the boxes below to learn about the vaccines recommended in pregnancy.
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Flu Vaccine
The flu shot is recommended during any trimester of pregnancy. It protects you from getting very sick with the flu and helps protect your baby after birth.
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Tdap Vaccine
The Tdap vaccine is given between 27 and 32 weeks of pregnancy. It protects your baby from pertussis (whooping cough) in the first few months of life.
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COVID-19 Vaccine
A COVID-19 vaccine is recommended during any trimester of pregnancy to protect you from serious illness and help protect your baby after birth.
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RSV Vaccine
The RSV vaccine is given between 32 and 36 weeks of pregnancy. It helps protect your baby from serious RSV illness in the first few months of life.
When do I get vaccinated?
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Before Pregnancy
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First Trimester
(0-13 Weeks)
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Second Trimester
(14-27 Weeks)
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Third Trimester
(28-40 Weeks)
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After Delivery
How does getting vaccinated in pregnancy protect my baby?
When you get a vaccine, your body makes infection-fighting antibodies to protect against harmful viruses and bacteria. During pregnancy, you pass these protective antibodies to your baby through the placenta. This gives your newborn early protection against serious infections like the flu and pertussis (whooping cough) until they are old enough to get their own vaccines.
How do I know vaccines are safe for me and my baby?
Vaccines go through strict safety testing before they are approved in Canada. Before any vaccine is approved, it must meet high safety and effectiveness standards. Vaccines are carefully tested in three phases of clinical trials, involving thousands of people, to make sure they are safe and work well. Health Canada reviews all the evidence from these trials and only approves vaccines that are proven to be safe and effective.
What parents are saying
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![Picture of a mother cradling her newborn baby.]()
Carly (Calgary, A.B)
“We all want to do what we can to protect our precious babies, and getting the vaccine was one of the ways I could do that.”
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![Picture of a mother feeding her newborn baby.]()
Kelsie (Calgary, A.B)
“What a golden opportunity I had! I could get my vaccine and pass antibodies to my baby. I could provide a layer of protection for my baby.”
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![Picture of a mother smiling beside her newborn baby.]()
Valentina (Calgary, A.B)
“Because I trust the doctors and scientists behind the research and development of these vaccines, I knew this was the best decision for my family.”
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![Picture of a happy family with a mother and father holding their newborn baby and toddler.]()
Myrriah (Red Deer, A.B).
“I discussed with my midwife who encouraged me to get it. I trust I made the right decision and am so relieved to have me and my now big healthy 5 week old boy protected.”
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