Protect yourself from flu during pregnancy

As autumn arrives and the colder months approach, flu becomes a more relevant consideration during pregnancy. Flu is different from an ordinary cold and can sometimes cause more serious illness, particularly during pregnancy.

The good news is that there are practical steps you can take to reduce your risk, including vaccination. The recommendations for the 2026–27 flu season also include an important timing point for pregnant women, with vaccination offered from 1 September 2026.

Why does flu matter during pregnancy?

Flu is a respiratory infection caused by influenza viruses. It can come on quickly, with symptoms such as a high temperature, aching body, tiredness, dry cough and sore throat.

Pregnancy can change the way your body responds to infections, which is one reason pregnant women are offered flu vaccination each year. The NHS explains that pregnant women have an increased risk of developing complications from flu, particularly later in pregnancy. You can find out more about NHS guidance on flu vaccination in pregnancy and how vaccination can help protect you and your baby.

That does not mean that getting flu will necessarily lead to complications, but it is worth taking the recommended precautions during flu season.

Flu vaccination during pregnancy can also help protect your baby after birth. The protection from the vaccine can be passed to your baby during pregnancy, helping provide some protection during the first few months of life. You can read more in the GOV.UK guidance on how vaccination during pregnancy helps protect you and your baby.

What is different about the flu vaccine this season?

For the 2026–27 flu season in England, pregnant women can be offered their flu vaccination from 1 September 2026. This is earlier than the main adult flu vaccination programme, which starts on 1 October.

The reason for starting earlier in pregnancy is not simply about protecting you during the winter. The earlier start is intended to give you protection during the flu season while also allowing vaccination to provide protection to your baby during their first few months of life.

The MHRA flu vaccine factsheet published on 1 September 2026 also explains that seasonal flu vaccines are updated each year to reflect the strains of flu expected to circulate.

Flu vaccination during pregnancy

The NHS recommends the flu vaccine for pregnant women at any stage of pregnancy. You do not need to wait until a particular week of pregnancy before having it. The vaccine is designed to reduce your chance of getting flu and to reduce the risk of serious illness if you do catch it. It does not guarantee that you will not get flu, and protection takes time to develop after vaccination.

The injected flu vaccines used in the UK do not contain live flu viruses and cannot give you flu. Some people may experience mild side effects such as a sore arm, aching or a slightly raised temperature, which usually improve within a day or two. You can find more information about the flu vaccine, including possible side effects, in the current NHS guidance on flu vaccination.

If you have had a serious allergic reaction to a previous flu vaccine or have another medical concern, ask the healthcare professional offering your vaccination for advice.

When can you have the flu vaccine?

Depending on local arrangements, you may be able to receive it through your GP surgery, a participating pharmacy or your maternity service. The NHS guidance on flu vaccination during pregnancy advises getting vaccinated as soon as you can rather than waiting until later in the season.

If you become pregnant later in the flu season and have not yet had your vaccination, it is still worth asking about it. You do not miss your opportunity simply because September has passed.

It is also worth remembering that flu vaccination is offered every year. The viruses that circulate change over time, and protection from vaccination also reduces with time, so having had a flu vaccine during a previous pregnancy does not mean you are covered for this season too.

What else can you do to reduce your risk?

Vaccination is an important part of protecting yourself from flu, but it is not the only practical step you can take.

Flu spreads easily through coughs, sneezes and close contact. During the colder months, you may also spend more time indoors with other people, so simple habits can help reduce the spread of respiratory infections.

Try to:

• wash your hands regularly with soap and warm water
• avoid close contact with people who are unwell where possible
• cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing
• put used tissues in the bin promptly
• wash your hands after coughing, sneezing or blowing your nose
• avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands

If someone in your household becomes unwell, good hygiene and reducing close contact where possible can help reduce the chance of catching flu.

You do not need to make your winter routine unnecessarily complicated. These are straightforward measures that can be useful alongside vaccination. The NHS advice on flu symptoms and preventing the spread of flu explains more about practical ways to reduce the spread of infection.

How do you know if it might be flu?

Flu can look similar to a heavy cold at first, but it often comes on much more suddenly.

Common flu symptoms include:

• a sudden high temperature
• aching muscles or body
• feeling very tired or exhausted
• a dry cough
• sore throat
• headache
• loss of appetite

A cold tends to develop more gradually and mainly affects the nose and throat. Flu can leave you feeling much more unwell and unable to carry on with your usual activities.

Not everyone with flu will have exactly the same symptoms, so you should not rely on one symptom alone to decide whether you have it.

What should you do if you develop symptoms?

If you are pregnant and think you may have flu, the NHS advises contacting your GP or midwife as soon as possible.

This is particularly important because antiviral treatment may be recommended during pregnancy in some circumstances. It works best when started soon after symptoms appear, so it is better to seek advice promptly rather than waiting several days to see whether you improve. The NHS explains what to do if you are pregnant and think you have flu, including when to contact your GP or midwife.

If you develop flu symptoms during pregnancy, do not assume that the medicines you already have at home will be suitable. The right treatment depends on your symptoms and individual circumstances, so it is important to get appropriate advice rather than treating yourself based on what you have used before.

Your GP, midwife or another appropriate healthcare professional can advise you about what to do.

When should you seek urgent medical advice?

Pregnancy is one of the situations where the NHS recommends seeking urgent advice if you have flu symptoms and are concerned. You should seek urgent advice through your GP or NHS 111 if you are pregnant and have flu symptoms, particularly if you feel very unwell, are short of breath or your symptoms are not improving.

For severe difficulty breathing, sudden chest pain or coughing up blood, NHS advice is to call 999 or go to A&E. The NHS guidance on flu symptoms and urgent care explains when to seek emergency help and what symptoms to look out for.

If you are concerned about your pregnancy itself, contact your maternity service using the appropriate local route rather than relying on a private ultrasound appointment to assess an illness.

A few things to remember this flu season

Flu vaccination is one of the main ways to reduce your risk of serious illness during pregnancy, and the 2026–27 programme means pregnant women can receive their vaccination from 1 September 2026.

You can also reduce the spread of flu through simple measures such as regular handwashing, covering coughs and sneezes and avoiding close contact with people who are unwell where possible.

Most importantly, if you are pregnant and develop symptoms that could be flu, do not wait too long before seeking advice. Early contact with your GP or midwife means you can be assessed and advised about appropriate treatment if it is needed.

The bottom line

Flu is more common at certain times of year, and pregnancy is one of the reasons it is worth taking precautions during the winter months. Vaccination, good hygiene and knowing what to do if symptoms develop can all form part of your winter preparation. A little preparation can help you feel more confident about looking after yourself during flu season and knowing where to turn if you become unwell.