Pregnant women urged to get flu jab

Pregnant women have been urged to get vaccinated against the flu this season, amid predictions this year could be just as bad as a horror 2015.

More than 100,000 Australians were known to have contracted the flu last year, with 17,000 ending up in hospital, federal Health Minister Sussan Ley said at a National Immunisation Program launch in Perth.

"If you are pregnant, you should have the flu vax, it actually provides your baby with immunity for up to six months," Ms Ley said.

Ms Ley said indigenous children under five were also underrepresented in vaccination statistics.

WA Australian Medical Association president Michael Gannon said parents should not fall for misinformation supplied by anti-vaccination lobbyists.