What vaccines are recommended during pregnancy?

Last reviewed: 2026-06-08

Quick answer

Hong Kong's Scientific Committee on Vaccine Preventable Diseases recommends three vaccines during pregnancy: the inactivated flu vaccine, the acellular pertussis (whooping cough) vaccine (one dose each pregnancy, ideally in the second or third trimester and before about 35 weeks), and the COVID-19 vaccine (pregnant women are a priority group). These protect both mother and baby. Live-attenuated vaccines, such as MMR, should be avoided.

Vaccination during pregnancy protects the mother and passes antibodies to a baby too young to be vaccinated.

Inactivated flu vaccine

Pregnant women have a higher risk of serious complications from flu. The inactivated flu vaccine protects the mother and passes antibodies across the placenta, protecting the baby in its first months. It can be given at any stage of pregnancy. Note: the live-attenuated nasal flu vaccine isn't for pregnant women.

Acellular pertussis vaccine

Whooping cough can be fatal for newborns. The Scientific Committee recommends one dose of acellular pertussis vaccine in each pregnancy, regardless of previous vaccination or infection history, ideally in the second or third trimester and before about 35 weeks, so maternal antibodies cross the placenta and protect the baby before it's old enough to be vaccinated.

COVID-19 vaccine

Pregnant women have a higher risk of severe disease from COVID-19, so they're a priority group, and vaccination is recommended to protect mother and baby.

Vaccines to avoid

Live-attenuated vaccines, such as MMR and chickenpox, aren't recommended during pregnancy and are usually arranged before pregnancy or after delivery.

Before vaccination

Every pregnancy is different. Before vaccination, confirm with your obstetrician or family doctor which vaccines are right for you and the best timing.

Answer six short questions to see which vaccines are worth discussing with your GP, and why.

Based on your age, health, and travel plans, using HK Department of Health and CDC guidance. A ranked list of vaccines, with the reason each one applies to you.

Rule-based

The recommendations follow HK Department of Health and US CDC guidance, and you can see how each one was reached.

Private

Your answers stay on your own device. We never receive or store them.

Explained

Every recommendation comes with the reason it applies to you.

Start the recommender →