05 October 2011 12:02

Healthcare

Reduce the risks of flu when pregnant

Pregnant women will do anything to protect their unborn child – but figures from last winter show that just 39.5% of pregnant women in the East Midlands had the flu jab.

Hazel Harrison, Head of Midwifery at United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “Flu can cause serious illness in pregnant women and in the most severe cases can put the lives of expectant mums and their unborn babies at risk. This is because the woman’s body and immune system is adapting to accommodate the growing baby and less able to fight off the flu virus. Last winter we saw the devastating effects flu in pregnancy can have and this can be prevented by having the free vaccine at your local GP surgery.

“When you are pregnant with your child you want to do what is right for your baby and some mothers-to-be worry about the vaccine. It is safe for mother and baby and can be given at any stage of pregnancy, and the earlier you have the vaccine the better as it means you will be protected for the whole winter. The vaccine may also give your unborn baby some protection against flu during the first six months of life.

“In addition, many pregnant mothers already have children at home and as carer, cannot afford to fall ill. So getting the jab not only protects the mother and unborn baby, but also their loved ones too.”

There are four groups of people most at risk from flu – pregnant women; people with long term conditions; carers and people over 65 years.

There are additional ways people can protect themselves and those around them. Good hand hygiene - the ‘catch it, bin it, kill it’ technique – reduces the spread of germs. This means carrying tissues, covering coughs and sneezes with a tissue, disposing of the tissue after one use, and cleaning hands as soon as possible with soap and water or an alcohol hand gel.

All midwives within United Lincolnshire Hospital NHS Trust have been given up to date information in order to support pregnant women with regard to obtaining the flu vaccine. All community midwives will discuss the flu vaccination routinely at antenatal appointments and sign post women to their GP practice in order to obtain the vaccination.

Posters and information leaflets designed to bust flu myths and help educate people on the importance of getting the jab will be available at local GP surgeries, hospitals and clinics. Copies are also available on www.lincolnshire.nhs.uk

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