Some women get some redness and soreness at the spot where the needle went in¹ (this is called a ‘local reaction’).

• Around three in 100 women who have an influenza vaccination during pregnancy experience a local reaction¹.
• Around seven in 100 women who have a whooping cough vaccination during pregnancy experience a local reaction¹.

The redness and soreness will get better in a day or two. In the meantime, you can place a cool, damp cloth on the spot to soothe it, and you can take an over-the-counter pain medication, such as paracetamol, if you feel you need one. You should check with your doctor before taking any other pain medications.

Some women experience a headache after vaccination¹.

• Around four in 100 women experience a headache after having an influenza vaccination¹.
• Around three in 100 women experience a headache after having a whooping cough vaccination¹.

The headache will get better by itself, but you can take an over-the-counter pain medication, such as paracetamol, if you feel you need one.

Some women develop a fever of 38.5°C or less¹. A high fever (above 39°) is very uncommon.

• Around two in 100 women experience a fever of around 38 degrees or less after having an influenza vaccination¹.
• Around two in 100 women experience a fever of around 38 degrees or less after having a whooping cough vaccination¹.

If you have a fever after your vaccination, drink plenty of water and consider using some paracetamol to help bring the temperature down.

A very small number of people have a severe allergic reaction to vaccines called ‘anaphylaxis’, where they can develop swelling, hives, breathing difficulties, lowered blood pressure and in severe cases, shock. Anaphylactic reactions are very rare – they occur in about one in a million people who have a vaccination².Midwives, nurses and GPs are trained to respond to an anaphylactic reaction with quick delivery of adrenaline.

A very small number of women experience a reaction serious enough to require them to attend a hospital emergency department¹. 

• Around three in 1,000 women attended a hospital emergency department after an influenza vaccination¹.
• Around three in 1,000 women attended a hospital emergency department after a whooping cough vaccination¹.

Follow-up with those women indicated that all symptoms resolved and that both mother and baby remained healthy.

If your symptoms last longer than a couple of days, or if you are worried about how you feel after your vaccination, you can get help from your doctor, or your nearest emergency department, or by calling Health Direct on 1800 022 222.