As the NHS launches its autumn vaccination programme, the Royal College of Midwives (RCM) is providing members with support, practical tools and evidence-based information to help them respond confidently to questions from women in their care. 

This autumn, the NHS is offering flu and RSV vaccines to pregnant women. However, for the first time since 2021, they will no longer be included in the COVID-19 vaccination programme. 

The importance of vaccinations has been in the news this week for other reasons too, due to the tragic death of a baby from pertussis (whooping cough). The baby’s mother had not received the pertussis vaccine during pregnancy, so the baby did not have the protection in its first year. 

Midwives remain a trusted source of information for pregnant women who may have questions about vaccinations. The RCM is here to give support and guidance to midwives and to ensure you feel confident in talking to women about the vaccinations which are available to them. 

Fiona Gibb, Director of Midwifery at the RCM, said: 

“Midwives are working incredibly hard day in and day out and we know that additional expectations can feel challenging. Supporting women to make informed choices about their care is a fundamental element of being a midwife, and support around vaccination is an important part of that.” 

The respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine programme was rolled out in September 2024, and is offered to pregnant women around the time of their 28-week antenatal appointment. Uptake of the RSV vaccine is currently 53%, however data also shows that there is considerable variability in uptake by ethnic group. This ranges from 11% in women of mixed and Black Caribbean ethnicity to over 50% white Irish and Chinese ethnic groups.   

Fiona added: 

“It’s never been more important for pregnant women get vaccinated against flu and RSV. Having flu during pregnancy can be very serious for both mums-to-be and their babies and leaves women at higher risk of complications and in some cases can develop into pneumonia. The RSV vaccine also helps protect newborns during their first few months of life, when they are most vulnerable. This is especially important as RSV can lead to bronchiolitis, a condition that may require hospital treatment. 

“We’re encouraging all pregnant women to get vaccinated to help protect themselves and their babies. We understand that with the flu, RSV and whooping cough vaccines all recommended during pregnancy, it can feel like a lot to take in – and we know that during appointments it is not always possible to provide all the information, reassurance and support that is needed and there isn’t always time to discuss each one in detail. 

“Some maternity services have faced considerable challenges in implementing vaccination programmes and have needed to send women to their GPs instead. This further reinforces the RCM’s calls for the right staff, in the right place with the right education and training. We will continue calling for this as we know while midwives bring new life into the world, we also provide vital public health interventions that protect the health of a woman and her unborn baby during pregnancy. 

“But more than that, the care midwives provide during the entire perinatal period makes a difference to their lifelong health and that is something we should all be very proud of.” 

Vaccination resources at a glance: 

• i-learn module – The RCM has an i-learn module on vaccinations, which covers common vaccination misconceptions held by pregnant women, and some suggestions on how to encourage uptake. 

• RCM webinar – Last month, we held a webinar about vaccinations in pregnancy – including latest guidance, evidence and advice. Speakers at the webinar included Dr Thomas Williams, Senior Clinical Research Fellow at the University of Edinburgh; Greta Hayward, Consultant Midwife at UKHSA Immunisation Programmes Division; and Trish Dyter, Senior Midwife and Vaccination Clinical Lead at Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust. A recording of the webinar is available on our website. 

• Tommy’s – The baby charity has a detailed guide on vaccinations, which can be used as a trusted source of information. 

• NHS  – A comprehensive webpage detailing the vaccinations recommended in pregnancy is available on the NHS website.