Mums-to-be warned over flu virus

HEALTH experts are urging pregnant women to get the flu jab to protect their unborn child from the virus this winter.

Figures from last winter show that just 38.2 per cent of pregnant women in Rotherham got the jab.

While uptake among pregnant women is now higher, many pregnant women who opt out of vaccination remain vulnerable to serious complications such as bronchitis and pneumonia.

Flu can even but the the lives of unborn babies at risk.

Kathy Wakefield , Infection Prevention Lead at NHS Rotherham, explained: “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.

“When you are pregnant you want to do what is right for your baby and some mothers-to-be worry about the safety and potential side effects of the vaccine.

It is safe for mother and baby and can be given at any stage of pregnancy, as flu generally starts to circulate in the community from November and the earlier you have the vaccine the sooner you will be protected for the whole winter.”

For more information about the flu vaccine visit the NHS Rotherham website at www.rotherham.nhs.uk/health/seasonal-flu.htm

 

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