Flu vaccin for pregnant women

In many neighboring countries, pregnant women have been offered the flu shot for years. Since 2021 this flu shot will be offered to all pregnant women in The Netherlands, too. If you are at least 22 weeks pregnant, you can make an appointment with your GP between 1 October and 1 december 2021.

Pregnant women are just as likely to get the flu as non-pregnant women. But they do get a little sicker on average and hospitalization is more often needed. A flu shot reduces the chance of getting the flu. The chance that a newborn baby will get the flu is also smaller if the mother received a vaccination during pregnancy, because the baby has received antibodies (= protection) via the placenta. Check out the website of the RIVM for more detailed information.