Influenza vaccinations for pregnant women
Pregnant women belong to a high-risk group. They get a free influenza vaccine from the maternity clinic during a maternity clinic appointment or through their own health centre.
If you have questions about vaccinations or want to give feedback, please contact the health centre in your municipality of residence. Alternatively, you can also contact us through our feedback form.
Locality-specific influenza and COVID-19 vaccination locations and dates can be found on the website Influenza vaccinations for working-age people.
More information about vaccination locations for young children is available on the website Influenza vaccinations for children aged from 6 months to 6 years.
Why should a pregnant woman take a vaccine?
Pregnancy weakens the body's immune system, which increases the risk of a pregnant mother falling ill with serious influenza. At least a vaccine given in the last trimester of pregnancy protects the child significantly until the age of six months. The mother's vaccinations are likely to prevent up to half of the influenzas in the first months of the baby's life, which would often require hospital treatment.
Influenza vaccination reduces the risk of low weight and premature birth.
A vaccinated mother also protects her baby indirectly: when she does not fall ill herself, she does not infect her child either.
COVID-19 vaccinations for pregnant and breastfeeding women
Pregnancy exposes you to a serious COVID-19 disease. Pregnant women belong to the high-risk group for serious COVID-19 disease. The Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare recommends a COVID-19 vaccine for all pregnant women.
The COVID-19 vaccine can be administered to pregnant women at any stage of pregnancy. The entire series of COVID-19 vaccinations can be taken during pregnancy. Also the autumn/winter booster dose is recommended for pregnant women.
Vaccination can be administered also while breastfeeding.