Maternal Immunisation in Pregnancy

Protecting your baby before birth

Some of the best protection you can give your newborn happens before they are even born. Your baby’s immune system is still developing in pregnancy and in those first few months of life, and they are too young to have vaccines of their own straight after birth. When you are vaccinated during pregnancy, your body makes protective antibodies that pass to your baby through the placenta, so they arrive already carrying some of your protection. SR Adele de Beer is a registered midwife, and she will talk you through your options calmly, answer every question, and never pressure you either way.

Why moms choose to do this

The reason moms give us most often is simple peace of mind. Your baby is protected from the moment they are born, in the weeks before they are old enough for their own immunisations. These vaccines are used in pregnancy around the world and are supported by global health authorities including the World Health Organization, the CDC and the ECDC. And it is one of the few things on your to-do list that protects two people at once.

It also helps to know what we are protecting against. RSV and whooping cough are both respiratory infections, and in a newborn they can lead to things like bronchiolitis, pneumonia and severe coughing fits that make it hard for a tiny baby to breathe. A very small baby has almost no defences of their own in those first weeks. Until they are old enough for their own vaccines, your antibodies are what they have. That is the whole idea behind maternal immunisation.

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How It Works

It is a simple, four-step story. You are vaccinated during your pregnancy. Your body responds by producing antibodies. Those antibodies pass across the placenta to your baby. And your baby is born already carrying protection, during the weeks when they cannot yet be vaccinated themselves.

Soli Deo Gloria Bella Vaccinated during Pregnancy

1. You get vaccinated during pregnancy.

2. Your body produces antibodies.

Soli Deo Gloria Bella antibodies passed to baby

3. These antibodies are passed to your baby through the placenta.

Soli Deo Gloria Bella born with protection

4. Your baby is born with protection against serious diseases.

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What to expect

A calm, unhurried appointment. Please bring your medical aid card and your membership details – the scheme, the plan or option and the membership number – along with your ID and your due date. We check where you are in your pregnancy, talk the vaccine through with you, and give you time to ask anything. Afterwards you are welcome to sit for a few minutes before you head off. If you are having both vaccines, we will book your second visit with you before you leave so the two-week gap is taken care of. We record everything, and if you would like, we will remind you when the next vaccine or your baby’s first immunisation is due.

Book a session

Please contact us first so we can book you a time and plan the timing around your due date.
Phone +27 12 367 4060 or email [email protected]. Our cell number, +27 82 573 4040, is for emergencies only.

Book Maternal Immunisation

Maternal vaccines for moms-to-be across Pretoria East, central Pretoria and Centurion.

The two vaccines moms-to-be ask about

The two maternal vaccines moms most often ask us about are the RSV vaccine and the whooping cough (Tdap) vaccine. Both are given during pregnancy so that your baby is covered in those first vulnerable weeks. Whether they are right for you depends on your stage of pregnancy and your own health, which is exactly the kind of thing we talk through together, alongside your doctor.

The RSV vaccine

Respiratory Syncytial Virus is one of the most common causes of serious chest and breathing infections in small babies, and it is a frequent reason little ones end up in hospital during their first winter. Having the vaccine in pregnancy is how many moms choose to give their newborn a head start against it.

Protects Against: Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), a leading cause of severe respiratory infections in infants. It helps reduce the risk of hospitalisation due to RSV-related complications.
When To Get It: Between 28 weeks pregnant and 2 weeks before birth (cannot be done with Whooping Cough (Tdap) Vaccine – There must be a 2-week gap between Vaccines).
Cost: R4250

The whooping cough (Tdap) vaccine

Whooping cough, or pertussis, is highly contagious and can be very serious in newborns. The Tdap vaccine also covers tetanus and diphtheria, so it is one appointment doing three jobs at once.

Protects Against: Pertussis Disease (Whooping Cough), a highly contagious and potentially life-threatening illness for infants. Also provides protection against Tetanus and Diphtheria.
When To Get It: Between 28 weeks pregnant and 2 weeks before birth (cannot be done with RSV Vaccine – There must be a 2-week gap between Vaccines).
Cost: R250

PEACE OF MIND FOR YOU AND YOUR BABY

Benefits of Getting Vaccinated

Immediate protection for your baby from birth (before they’re eligible for their own vaccinations).
Reduces the risk of severe complications from Influenza and SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) during pregnancy.
Safe and effective for both mom and baby.
Endorsed by global health authorities such as the WHO, CDC, and ECDC.

Risks of Not Vaccinating

RSV and Pertussis (Whooping Cough) can cause severe breathing problems, brain damage, pneumonia, and even death in newborns.
Babies are too young to be vaccinated at birth—your protection is their only defence.
Influenza and SARS-CoV-2 can lead to serious complications during pregnancy and early infancy.

Where and what it costs

Maternal immunisations are available at both our clinics, so you can choose whichever is easier for you.

Mediclinic Kloof, First Floor, 511 Jochemus Street, Erasmuskloof x 3, 0181, is open until 7pm on Mondays and Wednesdays – handy if you are working.

Zuid-Afrikaans Hospital, Main Entrance Corridor, 255 Bourke Street, Muckleneuk, Pretoria, 0002, inside Dr. Jana Bloem’s Consulting Room, is open Monday to Friday, 07:00 to 16:00.

The RSV vaccine is R4,250.00 and the whooping cough (Tdap) vaccine is R250.00. Both prices include your consultation with SR Adele, so there is nothing extra to pay on the day. You pay at the clinic and then claim back from your own medical aid – bring your card and your membership details and we will give you everything you need for the claim. Please contact us to book, so that we can give you an unhurried appointment and help you plan the two-week gap if you would like both.

Book Maternal Immunisation

Give your baby the best start in life. Protect them before they’re born.

Mediclinic Kloof (First Floor)

+27 12 367 4060

[email protected]

511 Jochemus Street, Erasmuskloof x 3, 0181

Zuid-Afrikaans Hospital (Main Entrance Corridor)

+27 12 367 4060

[email protected]

255 Bourke St, Muckleneuk, Pretoria, 0002

FAQs

Your baby’s immune system is still developing before birth and in those first few months. When you are vaccinated in pregnancy, your body makes antibodies that pass to your baby through the placenta, so they are born already carrying some protection – during the weeks before they are old enough for their own immunisations. SR Adele will talk you through whether it is right for you.

The two moms most often ask about are the RSV vaccine and the whooping cough (Tdap) vaccine. RSV is a common cause of serious chest and breathing infections in small babies. Whooping cough, or pertussis, is highly contagious and can be very serious in newborns, and the Tdap vaccine also covers tetanus and diphtheria. We discuss timing and suitability with you and your doctor.

Both vaccines are given between 28 weeks and 2 weeks before your baby is due. Contact us early and we will help you plan the timing around your due date.

No. There must be at least a 2-week gap between the RSV vaccine and the whooping cough vaccine, so they are done as two separate visits. We will book the second one with you before you leave the first, so you do not have to keep track.

The RSV vaccine is R4,250.00 and the whooping cough (Tdap) vaccine is R250.00. Both prices include your consultation with SR Adele, so there is nothing extra to pay on the day.

Yes, both vaccines are claimable. You pay us at the clinic and then submit the claim to your own medical aid. Please bring your card and your membership details with you – the scheme, the plan or option and the membership number – and we will give you everything you need for the claim, including our practice number, 0134821.

Yes, please contact us first. We see moms by appointment so that you get an unhurried visit and so we can plan the two-week gap if you are having both vaccines. Phone +27 12 367 4060 or email [email protected]. Our cell number, +27 82 573 4040, is for emergencies only.

At either of our clinics, whichever suits you – Mediclinic Kloof, First Floor, 511 Jochemus Street, Erasmuskloof x 3, 0181, or Zuid-Afrikaans Hospital, Main Entrance Corridor, 255 Bourke Street, Muckleneuk, Pretoria, 0002, inside Dr. Jana Bloem’s Consulting Room. Bring your medical aid card and membership details, your ID and your due date, and we will take care of the rest.

No. Maternal immunisations are for you during pregnancy, to protect your baby before birth. Your baby’s own immunisation schedule starts after they are born – see our baby immunisations page.