The Health Ministry asserts it would be disappointed if any health professional was unaware of the vast majority of evidence in support of the safety and efficacy of immunisation.

Concern has been raised that pregnant women could be choosing not to get vaccinated, because of poor information from midwives and antenatal classes.

MORE: Midwives ignoring vaccination evidence 

Official Ministry of Health advice is that immunisation against influenza and whooping cough is important to help protect a mother and her unborn baby, and to pass protection to a baby after they are born. Flu jabs are free for pregnant women during the flu season.

The Health Ministry admits some health professionals may not feel sufficiently informed or confident in talking about immunisation to pregnant women, and it is possible that
this comes across as a lack of endorsement.

However it adds it's always looking at ways it can improve information for health professionals to support them in providing the best care for women and their babies.

"The Ministry recognises midwives as having an important and trusted role in providing health information to pregnant women, and works closely with the College of Midwives to ensure that the Ministry’s information resources meet midwives’ needs in discussing immunisation with pregnant women," it says.

It adds it has plans in place to supplement the materials available to antenatal educators regarding immunisation, to assist their teaching.

There are already rules that DHB-funded antenatal education needs to provide information to support parents making informed decisions about immunising their baby.

However antenatal educators that do not hold contracts with DHBs have no formal obligations.