Reviewed by a GPhC-registered Pharmacist at Newdays Pharmacy | Published: 2026 | Book an appointment
| Quick Answer: Many travel vaccines are safe during pregnancy; others are contraindicated. Live vaccines including yellow fever, MMR, and the oral live typhoid capsules are not recommended during pregnancy. Inactivated vaccines including injectable hepatitis A, injectable typhoid, and hepatitis B are generally considered safe. Malaria carries serious risks in pregnancy and certain antimalarial tablets are contraindicated. A thorough travel health consultation is essential before any international travel during pregnancy. |
Travelling during pregnancy requires careful travel health planning. The combination of immune system changes in pregnancy, restrictions on certain vaccines, and the serious risks that some travel related infections carry for pregnant women make a pre travel consultation with a travel health pharmacist especially important. Newdays Pharmacy in Berkshire provides travel health consultations that take the specific needs of pregnant travellers into account from our branches in Eton, Twyford, Reading, and Lane End.
Which Travel Vaccines Are Safe During Pregnancy?
Inactivated Vaccines: Generally Considered Safe
Inactivated (non-live) vaccines are generally considered safe during pregnancy and do not contain live virus. These include the injectable hepatitis A vaccine, the injectable typhoid vaccine (Vi polysaccharide), the injectable hepatitis B vaccine, and the meningococcal ACWY vaccine. The benefit of protection against a serious travel related infection during pregnancy typically outweighs the theoretical risk of vaccination. Always discuss the specific benefit and risk balance with your travel health pharmacist and, where appropriate, your midwife or obstetrician.
Live Vaccines: Not Recommended During Pregnancy
Live attenuated vaccines are not recommended during pregnancy. These include the yellow fever vaccine (Stamaril), the oral typhoid vaccine (Vivotif capsules), and MMR. If travel to a mandatory yellow fever country cannot be postponed, a detailed individual risk benefit assessment is required involving discussion with a travel health expert and, where possible, the patient’s obstetrician. In some cases vaccination may be appropriate; in others a medical exemption letter may be provided.
Malaria and Pregnancy: A High Risk Combination
Malaria infection during pregnancy is associated with severe maternal illness, miscarriage, preterm labour, low birth weight, and maternal death. Pregnant women are at higher risk of severe malaria than non-pregnant adults. Travel to malaria risk destinations should ideally be postponed during pregnancy. If travel is unavoidable, rigorous mosquito bite avoidance is essential. Atovaquone proguanil (Malarone) has insufficient safety data in pregnancy and is only recommended if an appropriate option with specialist advice. Doxycycline is contraindicated in pregnancy. Mefloquine may be used in the second and third trimesters in certain circumstances. Discuss your specific situation with our travel health pharmacist.
General Travel Health Advice During Pregnancy
Beyond vaccination, pregnant travellers should consider the availability of obstetric medical care at their destination, the gestational age at travel (most airlines decline to carry passengers beyond twenty eight to thirty six weeks of pregnancy without medical documentation), travel insurance that covers pregnancy related complications and premature neonatal care, the risk of dehydration and heat management in tropical climates, and DVT risk during long haul flights.
When to Book Your Travel Health Consultation if Pregnant
If you are pregnant and planning international travel, book a travel health consultation at Newdays Pharmacy as early as possible, ideally as soon as your travel plans are confirmed. Timing matters both for vaccination scheduling and because advice may differ depending on your trimester. Some decisions benefit from early discussion with both your travel health pharmacist and your midwife or obstetric team.
| Book Now: Book a Travel Health Consultation at Newdays Pharmacy. We serve patients from Windsor, Eton, Twyford, Reading, and across Berkshire and Buckinghamshire. |
| Clinical Disclaimer: This article is intended for general information only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before starting any treatment or medication. Information is accurate as of the date of publication and reviewed by a GPhC-registered pharmacist. Newdays Pharmacy is registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC). Branch registration numbers: Eton/Windsor 1029048 | Twyford 1028983 | Coley Park Reading 1029008. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Some travel vaccines can be given during pregnancy when protection is needed. Inactivated vaccines may be suitable following an individual risk assessment, while most live vaccines are generally avoided unless the risk of infection outweighs the potential risks of vaccination. Your midwife, GP or travel health professional can advise you based on your destination and stage of pregnancy.
The yellow fever vaccine is a live vaccine and is generally avoided during pregnancy. If travel to a yellow fever risk area is essential, a specialist may consider vaccination after carefully weighing the risks of the disease against those of the vaccine. Depending on your itinerary, postponing travel or changing your destination may be safer. Seek expert advice before making travel arrangements.
Pregnant travellers should carefully consider trips to areas affected by malaria or Zika. Malaria can cause serious complications for both mother and baby, while Zika infection can affect fetal development. Avoiding or postponing non-essential travel may be advisable, depending on the current risks at your destination. Check the latest UK travel health guidance and speak to your midwife or travel health professional before booking.
Ideally, arrange a travel health consultation around 6 to 8 weeks before departure. This gives time to review your destination, vaccination history, malaria risks, medication and any pregnancy- related concerns. If you are travelling sooner, seek advice as soon as possible, as some recommendations can still be addressed at short notice.
Check that your travel insurance covers pregnancy-related care, research maternity services at your destination and discuss any existing pregnancy complications with your healthcare team. Reduce mosquito bites where relevant, follow food and water hygiene advice, stay hydrated and move your legs regularly on journeys lasting more than four hours. Seek prompt medical advice if you develop a fever or feel unwell during or after your trip.
A travel health consultation can help identify destination-specific vaccination recommendations and other travel health risks. Tell the pharmacist that you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy so that your circumstances can be considered. Some vaccines and travel medicines require specialist assessment, so your GP, midwife or a specialist travel health service may need to advise you before you proceed.