Why should I get immunized?

Immunization is one of the best ways to protect you, your family and your community. Pregnancy is a great time to ask your health care provider if you are up to date with all your immunizations (also called vaccines). By staying up to date with your immunizations you are protecting yourself and passing on the protection to your unborn baby. This also protects your newborn baby for the first few months of life. Your baby will start receiving immunizations at two months of age.

Safety tip:

• It’s important for all members of your household to have up-to-date routine vaccinations, including pertussis, to protect your baby. Newborns can catch infections easily and get very sick, especially in the early months.

Immunizations:

• are safe and effective
• protect against diseases caused by germs such as bacteria or viruses
• are also known as a shot, needle, booster, vaccine, or vaccination

Did you know it’s safe to get the COVID-19 vaccine while you are pregnant?

Evidence shows that the mRNA COVID-19 vaccines are safe to get during pregnancy and will not harm your unborn baby. COVID- 19 vaccines:

• are recommended at any stage in pregnancy.
• are very effective at reducing the risk of severe illness, hospitalization and death
• can help prevent pregnancy complications for parent and baby.
• decrease the risk that you will develop COVID-19 and expose your baby.

See COVID-19 Vaccine: Information for Pregnant and Breastfeeding Individuals and talk to your health care provider at your next prenatal appointment. Visit The COVID-19 Vaccine Helps Protect Manitobans to find out where you can get your vaccine.

When is the best time to update my vaccines?

Vaccines best given before or during pregnancy:

• Influenza (Flu)
  • Immunization against influenza (flu) during pregnancy is recommended for all women, especially during flu season (November to April).
  • Flu is more likely to cause severe illness in pregnant women than in women who are not pregnant
• Tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (Tdap)
  • Pregnant women should be immunized with Tdap vaccine in EVERY pregnancy (new recommendation effective October 2018)
  • You should get the vaccine between 27 to 32 weeks of pregnancy.
  • This protects your newborn baby for the first few months of life.

What if I’m traveling out of the country?

If you are planning to travel while you are pregnant you may need some additional vaccines. Consult with your health care provider or a specialized travel health clinic such as WRHA Travel Health & Tropical Medicine Services at least 4 to 6 weeks before you travel.

Vaccines best given before you get pregnant or after you deliver:

• Measles, mumps, and rubella
• All vaccines are safe while breastfeeding

Where can I get immunized?

Your regular health care provider. If you do not have one, you can use the Family Doctor Finder.

What if I’m traveling out of the country?

If you are planning to travel while you are pregnant you may need some additional vaccines. Consult with your health care provider or a specialized travel health clinic such as WRHA Travel Health & Tropical Medicine Services.

For more travel-related information:

• Government of Canada’s- Travelling while pregnant
• Government of Canada’s- Travel and Tourism

Hot parent tip:

• All routine vaccines are free of charge in Manitoba.
• If you live in the:
  • Winnipeg health region, you can get a copy of your Manitoba immunization record by calling the WRHA Immunization Records Clerk at 204-938-5347.
  •  Southern health region, you can get a copy of your Manitoba immunization record by filling out this form Request to Access Personal Health Information in eChart Manitoba or calling by your local Public Health office.

See what’s next.

Immunization: Baby’s First Year

For more information:

Government of Manitoba: Routine Immunization Schedule
Government of Canada: Vaccination and Pregnancy
Winnipeg Regional Health Authority: Protect your Baby from Whooping Cough (Pertussis)