With flu levels remaining high across England and hospitals under growing pressure, leading doctors and health professionals in women’s and children’s health are urging pregnant women to get vaccinated now – warning that pregnant women and newborn babies are among the most vulnerable this winter.
The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG), Royal College of Midwives (RCM) and Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH), representing over 90,000 professionals, say vaccination during pregnancy offers vital protection for both mother and baby – even late in the flu season.
Latest UKHSA data published on 18 December shows flu cases are continuing to rise week on week, up 18% compared with the previous week, and are at their highest level for this point in the season.
Pregnant women are at higher risk of severe illness from flu, and babies under six months are too young to be vaccinated themselves. When young babies become unwell with flu, they are more likely to need hospital care.
Vaccination during pregnancy helps protect women from serious illness and passes protective antibodies to babies before birth, helping to protect them in their earliest weeks of life.
The Colleges said that even at this stage in the flu season, vaccination can still make a meaningful difference. Pregnant women who have not yet had their flu vaccine are being urged to speak to their midwife, GP or maternity team as soon as possible.
Dr Alison Wright, President of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists said:
“Having the flu vaccine during pregnancy is the most effective way to protect women and their babies from getting seriously unwell with flu. This vaccine is safe, and boosts maternal antibodies against flu, which are passed on to the baby before birth for maximum protection. It is not too late to get vaccinated.
“We strongly encourage all obstetricians, midwives, GP's and health care professionals to discuss and recommend vaccination with pregnant women at every available opportunity.”
Gill Walton, Chief Executive and Chief Midwife at the Royal College of Midwives, said:
“Pregnancy is a time when women are given a huge amount of information and it’s completely understandable that it can sometimes feel overwhelming. One of the simplest and most effective steps a woman can take to protect both herself and her baby is to have the flu vaccine if she hasn’t already. It provides the strongest protection throughout pregnancy and significantly reduces the risk of becoming seriously unwell or needing hospital care.
“Midwives play a vital role in supporting women to make informed choices about their health in pregnancy. They are a trusted source of advice and can talk through any concerns about vaccinations, including safety. The flu vaccine has been shown to be safe at all stages of pregnancy and also helps protect babies in their first months of life, when they are most vulnerable. Women can access the flu vaccine easily through their GP or maternity services, and we would encourage anyone who hasn’t yet had it to speak to their midwife about how to arrange it. Midwives are there to listen, to reassure, and to support women every step of the way."
Professor Steve Turner, President of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health said:
“Children are experiencing very high levels of flu this winter. Many people are mistaken in believing that flu is simply a bad cold. The flu virus can cause very serious infections with lifelong implications for children, and especially infants. These infections and associated hospital admissions from flu are putting our health service and its workforce under huge pressure but can be avoided by vaccination.
“In response to this surge in flu cases, RCPCH has published a flu vaccine factsheet to encourage and support parents and carers to access flu vaccines this winter. Giving your child the flu vaccine remains the best option for protecting them from this nasty infection, as well as easing pressure on the NHS during the busy winter months. We encourage parents and carers to take up this important vaccine, and all vaccines, and protect their child and those around them this winter.”
- Pregnant women are eligible for the flu, RSV and whooping cough vaccines during the winter rollout in 2025. Read more about maternal vaccinations here: https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/keeping-well/vaccinations/
- RCPCH flu vaccine factsheet available here: https://www.rcpch.ac.uk/resources/flu-vaccination-factsheet
- UKHSA National flu and COVID-19 surveillance report 18 December available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/national-flu-and-covid-19-surveillance-reports-2025-to-2026-season/national-flu-and-covid-19-surveillance-report-18-december-2025-week-51