Pregnant women are offered vaccinations against influenza and covid-19
Pregnant women are at higher risk of becoming severely ill from influenza and covid-19 The Danish Health Authority therefore recommends that pregnant women should be vaccinated against both diseases in the second or third trimester. The vaccination also protects the unborn baby.
Most pregnant women who are infected with influenza or covid-19 have only mild symptoms. But pregnant women are at higher risk of becoming severely ill from influenza and covid-19. The risk increases as the pregnancy progresses. Therefore, vaccination against covid-19 and influenza is recommended for all women in the second or third trimester of pregnancy.
Being vaccinated against influenza and covid-19 reduces the risk for pregnant women. Both vaccines are safe for the pregnant woman and the unborn baby.
When you are vaccinated during your pregnancy, your baby is automatically also protected for some time after the birth. Finally, as your child’s closest contact, you are a potential source of infection with influenza covid-19 if you are not vaccinated.
Free vaccination
Vaccination is free for pregnant women in the period from 1 October 2023 to 15 January 2024.
You are not protected against influenza even if you have had the disease before or have been vaccinated before. This is because there are several types of influenza, and influenza viruses can change from year to year. Also, the effect of the influenza vaccine wears off after about six months.
As regards covid-19, if you have been infected with covid-19 before or been vaccinated before, you are probably to some extent protected against severe illness, but you can still become infected with covid-19 and, as a pregnant woman, you are at higher risk of becoming severely ill. This is because the covid-19 virus changes all the time, while the effectiveness of the vaccine wears off over time.
If you are pregnant and have never been vaccinated against covid-19 before, we recommend that you should be vaccinated from the first trimester.
Questions and answers about vaccinations
1. How do I book a vaccination appointment?
2. When can I book a vaccination appointment?
If you are under 65 years of age and it is recommended that you should be vaccinated because you are at higher risk of becoming severely ill, for example because of certain chronic diseases or because you are pregnant, you will not receive an invitation. Instead, you must go directly to www.vacciner.dk, where you can book an appointment based on a solemn declaration for self-referral from 20 September.
If you need help to book an appointment for your vaccination, you can contact your region. You can find their phone number below:
- Capital Region of Denmark: Phone +45 38 64 99 00.
- Region Zealand: Phone +45 70 20 42 33.
- Region of Southern Denmark: Phone +45 99 44 07 17 (press 1).
- Central Denmark Region: Phone +45 70 23 24 15.
- North Denmark Region: Phone +45 97 64 84 63.
3. I am pregnant. When should I be vaccinated?
You can be vaccinated in the second or third trimester.
We recommend that pregnant women who have not previously been vaccinated against covid-19, and pregnant women who suffer from other diseases or health conditions that increase the risk of becoming severely ill from covid-19, should be vaccinated against covid-19 in the first trimester.
We recommend that pregnant women who also suffer from other diseases or health conditions that increase the risk of becoming severely ill from influenza should be vaccinated against influenza in the first trimester.
4. What are the possible side effects of the vaccines?
All vaccines can cause side effects, including the influenza and covid-19 vaccines.
Some people have a fever or a headache or feel a little sore at the injection site. These are common side effects that go away after a while.
Severe allergic reactions are very rare.
If you have previously suffered a severe allergic reaction after being vaccinated or after being injected with any other medicinal product, you should talk to a doctor before being vaccinated.
5. Is it safe to be vaccinated during pregnancy?
The Danish Health Authority recommends vaccination of pregnant women, as the vaccines are safe and effective and offer good protection against becoming severely ill from covid-19 and influenza.
The vaccines are safe both for the pregnant woman and for the unborn baby in all trimesters.
The covid-19 and influenza vaccines have been given to pregnant women for several years and in many different countries. Their use among pregnant women has therefore been thoroughly studied.
The studies all conclude that the vaccines are safe for both mother and child.
6. Can I be vaccinated against covid-19 and influenza at the same time?
You can safely be vaccinated against influenza and covid-19 at the same time. However, the vaccines cannot be mixed in the same syringe, so you will need two injections.
It is also recommended that pregnant women should be vaccinated against whooping cough. Read more about the offer of free whooping cough vaccination here: Whooping cough vaccination for pregnant women – Danish Health Authority