Oxford hospitals encourage expectant mothers to get jabbed

Pregnant women are being encouraged to get vaccinated to help protect themselves and their babies from serious illness <i>(Image: NHS)</i>
Pregnant women are being encouraged to get vaccinated to help protect themselves and their babies from serious illness (Image: NHS)
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Pregnant women are being encouraged to get vaccinated to help protect themselves and their babies from serious illness.

Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (OUH) is urging expectant mothers to receive free vaccines for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), whooping cough (pertussis), and flu as part of its winter health campaign.

Vaccinations are available at maternity immunisation hubs located at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford and the Horton General Hospital in Banbury.

Amanda Lee, matron for maternity public health at OUH, said: "Vaccination during pregnancy is one of the most effective ways to protect both mothers and babies from serious respiratory infections.

"These vaccines have been carefully tested, are routinely recommended, and help provide protection at a time when women and newborn babies can be particularly vulnerable."

The RSV vaccine is available between 28 and 36 weeks of pregnancy, while the whooping cough vaccine is offered from 16 weeks.

Flu vaccines are available during pregnancy from September to March.

All vaccines provided are inactive and cannot cause illness in either mother or baby.

Eligible women can receive vaccinations during antenatal appointments or by dropping in during opening hours.

The John Radcliffe hub is open Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm, and Saturdays from 9am to 4pm.

The Horton General hub operates on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 9am to 5pm.

OUH’s maternity immunisation hubs delivered more than 5,000 vaccinations during the 2025–26 winter season.

This is the third year of the seasonal maternity vaccination programme.

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