Midwives and doctors across Merseyside are backing the campaign to encourage all pregnant women to get their flu jab this year.
The flu jab is recommended for all pregnant women at any stage in pregnancy to protect themselves and their unborn babies against flu, which can cause serious illness for expectant mums and be dangerous for unborn babies.
Pregnant women are advised to contact their GP surgery now to book a free flu jab and ensure they are protected from flu this year.
Cathy Atherton, head of midwifery at Liverpool Women’s Hospital, said: “It is very important that all pregnant women get a flu vaccination.
“There have been some really upsetting cases over the past few winters where pregnant women have caught flu, become seriously ill and in some cases have died. Unfortunately if you are pregnant you are at risk of serious complications if you catch the flu virus. The best thing you can do to protect yourself and your baby is to have the flu vaccine. It is safe for you and your baby at any stage in pregnancy, and it is available for free.
All pregnant women in the USA have been routinely offered the flu vaccine for over ten year and flu vaccination has been shown to provide protection for the first four to six months of the baby’s life. Some women experience mild side effects from the vaccine such as fever, fatigue, headache and swelling at the injection site, but these will usually disappear after one or two days.
Cathy added: “We are concerned about the increased risk to pregnant women from the flu virus this year. They are five times more likely to be admitted to hospital and seven times more likely to be admitted to critical care as a result. Tragically, nine pregnant women died in the UK last year due to complications from flu.
All this can be avoided with the simple jab which is available free at your local GP surgery and is safe at all stages of pregnancy.”
Gill Rogerson, 38, is pregnant with her first child which is due in January next year. She went to her local surgery to receive her flu vaccination.
She said: “Working with young children I come into contact with bugs and germs every day, so getting the flu jab has really put my mind at rest that if I do come into contact with flu, I am not in danger of getting seriously ill and putting my baby’s health at risk. My dad caught flu last year and he was very poorly with it, so him and my mum also got their jabs on the same day as it is recommended for over 65s too.
“It was so quick and simple. It was over before I realised it was being done. I haven’t experienced any problems at all. It’s definitely not worth risking and I would also encourage all other pregnant ladies to go for their jabs too before the winter sets in.”
All pregnant women can book a free flu jab at their local surgery. Some midwives are also vaccinating pregnant women at their antenatal appointments. If you have any questions talk to your doctor or midwife or alternatively look online at www.nhs.uk/conditions/flu
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