Vaccinations during pregnancy in Sunshine
Three NIP-funded vaccines protect you and your baby — often in a single visit. AHPRA-registered pharmacist immunisers, walk-in seven days a week, no GP referral needed.
Three free vaccines, plainly
All three are NIP-funded for eligible pregnant patients, all three are inactivated (safe in pregnancy), and all three can be safely co-administered at 28–32 weeks for those who want to do it in a single visit.
Influenza
Annual, every pregnancy. Reduces serious flu illness for you and protects your baby in the first months of life through transferred antibodies.
Whooping cough (dTpa)
One dose every pregnancy, even pregnancies close together. Can be given up to delivery if missed earlier — protects against severe pertussis in newborns before they receive their own doses.
Maternal RSV
Single dose, at least 14 days before delivery for optimal antibody transfer. Reduces hospitalisation from severe RSV in the first six months of your baby's life by around 70–80%.
The one-visit window
At 28–32 weeks, you can have all three in one appointment
That's the overlap window for dTpa (20–32 weeks) and maternal RSV (28–36 weeks), and influenza can be given at any stage. The immuniser typically gives one vaccine in each arm — total appointment time is around 25–30 minutes including the 15-minute observation.
All three vaccines are free under the NIP for eligible pregnant patients. A standard service fee may apply for administration regardless of how many vaccines you receive.
Pre-conception immunity checks
Live vaccines can't be given in pregnancy, so it's easiest to confirm immunity to these before you conceive. Bring your AIR Immunisation History Statement to a visit and we'll identify any gaps:
- MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) — two documented doses or serology. If you need a dose, give pregnancy a 28-day berth afterwards.
- Varicella (chickenpox) — two doses or serology, same 28-day pre-conception interval if vaccinating.
- Hepatitis B — three-dose course with post-vaccination serology (anti-HBs ≥10 mIU/mL).
- Whooping cough (dTpa) if your last dose was more than 10 years ago — although you'll receive another in each pregnancy regardless.
Serology blood tests are done by your GP or a pathology collection centre — that's outside pharmacy scope. We can run vaccinations on the day you bring the results.
Your appointment, step by step
- 1
Pre-vaccination screening
Confirm gestational week, medical history, allergies, any concerns. Bring your AIR Immunisation History Statement if you have it.
- 2
Consent
Standard pregnancy-vaccination consent. We answer any questions — the immuniser is there to talk through whatever you need.
- 3
The vaccine(s)
Typically into the upper arm, one in each arm if you're having two or three together. Each dose takes seconds.
- 4
15-minute observation
Mandatory for every vaccination. Use the time to settle and ask any final questions. Please don't drive immediately after.
- 5
Recording to the AIR
Every dose is submitted to the Australian Immunisation Register within 24 hours. It appears on your record, and on your baby's AIR record after birth.
- 6
Copy to GP or midwife (on request)
We can email a record summary to your nominated GP, midwife or antenatal clinic so everyone stays informed.
Ready to book your pregnancy vaccines?
Walk in, or reserve a time online via Priceline's booking system.
The evidence on safety
The three vaccines used in pregnancy — influenza, whooping cough dTpa and maternal RSV — are all inactivated (non-live). They cannot cause infection in you or your baby. They've been studied in tens of thousands of pregnancies in clinical trials and post-market surveillance, with no signal of harm to the parent or baby.
Live vaccines (MMR, varicella, BCG, live attenuated influenza) are not given in pregnancy. That's why pre-conception immunity checks matter — anything live should be sorted out before you conceive.
Australia's vaccine-safety surveillance is active, not passive. AusVaxSafety contacts thousands of recently vaccinated patients each week (including pregnant patients) and publishes the data; SAFEVAC (Victoria) reviews and follows up adverse events. If you experience anything unexpected after a vaccination, we can help you submit a SAFEVAC report.
FAQs about pregnancy vaccinations
Can I get all three vaccines at once?
Yes — between 28 and 32 weeks all three are recommended and can be safely co-administered in a single visit (typically one vaccine in each arm). This is the most efficient window and the one most patients use. If you have any concerns about giving three at once, the immuniser can split them across two visits a week apart.
Are these vaccines safe in pregnancy?
Yes. The three vaccines we use in pregnancy — influenza (inactivated), whooping cough dTpa (acellular), and maternal RSV — are all inactivated (non-live). The Australian Immunisation Handbook, ATAGI and the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG) all explicitly recommend them. Live vaccines (MMR, varicella) are not given in pregnancy.
Do I need a referral from my GP or midwife?
No. You can walk in or book directly for any of the three pregnancy vaccines. We confirm your eligibility and complete the screening at the appointment. We can send a copy of the dose record to your nominated GP or midwife on request.
What does it cost?
The three pregnancy vaccines themselves — influenza, dTpa and maternal RSV — are all free under the National Immunisation Program for eligible pregnant patients. A standard service fee may apply for administration; ask at booking or use the cost estimator (coming soon).
I'm past 32 weeks. Is it too late for whooping cough?
No. The optimal window for whooping cough (dTpa) is 20–32 weeks because the antibodies have more time to transfer to your baby. But the vaccine can still be given right up to delivery — late protection is better than none, particularly if you haven't had it earlier in the pregnancy.
I don't have a Medicare card — can I still get these?
Yes. Vaccinations are available to anyone in Australia regardless of visa or residency. Without Medicare you would normally pay the private vaccine cost, but the maternal NIP-funded vaccines (influenza, dTpa, RSV) are funded by the program itself rather than via Medicare — eligibility is based on being pregnant, not on Medicare status. Bring whatever documentation you have.
Can I get the COVID-19 booster at the same time?
Yes — ATAGI advice is that COVID-19 vaccines can be safely co-administered with influenza, dTpa and RSV vaccines during pregnancy where they are recommended. Discuss with your immuniser at the appointment.
I had whooping cough vaccination in my last pregnancy. Do I need it again?
Yes — it's recommended in every pregnancy, even pregnancies close together. The dose is for the baby's protection (via antibody transfer), and each baby needs a fresh dose to maximise their protection in the first months of life.
What does the appointment actually involve?
A pre-vaccination screening (medical history, allergies, gestational week), consent, the vaccine(s), and a mandatory 15-minute observation period before you leave. Total time is usually 25–30 minutes. The dose is recorded to the AIR within 24 hours and appears on both your record and your baby's record after birth.
How do these vaccines protect my baby?
Through transferred antibodies. The vaccine triggers your immune system to make antibodies against influenza, whooping cough and RSV. Those antibodies cross the placenta and protect your baby in the first months of life, before they can have their own routine vaccines. The dTpa and RSV vaccines specifically have very strong evidence of preventing severe disease in young infants.
For maternal & child health nurses and antenatal clinics
We work with MCH nurses and antenatal clinics across Brimbank and the wider western suburbs. If you have patients who would benefit from in-pharmacy maternal vaccination access (no GP referral, walk-in seven days a week, multilingual immuniser team), feel free to direct-refer or contact us about partnership arrangements.
Sources and further reading
- Australian Immunisation Handbook — Vaccination for pregnant women
- Department of Health and Aged Care — Vaccines during pregnancy
- Better Health Channel — Pregnancy and immunisation
- NCIRS — Vaccinations in pregnancy fact sheet
- SKAI — Sharing Knowledge About Immunisation (Murdoch Children's Research Institute)
General information only — not personal medical advice. Vaccines are described by disease or category in line with the Therapeutic Goods Advertising Code. Your AHPRA-registered immuniser confirms what applies to you at the pre-vaccination screening.
Book your pregnancy vaccinations
Walk in seven days a week, or reserve a guaranteed time at 28–32 weeks for the one-visit option.