Flu Jab Push: Not Enough Pregnant Women Having The Vaccine, Say Experts

When you think of flu, you think of a week spent huddled on the sofa cupping a mug of something medicinal and struggling to find the energy to get through an entire episode of Breaking Bad.

And you know as rough as you feel, you’ll probably be back to your normal self within a week.

But when you’re pregnant, you’re likely to feel even worse. Your immune system is weaker and you’re more likely to develop complication that may affect both yourself and your unborn child – hence why medical experts are so insistent that mums-to-be are vaccinated against the virus.

Not Enough Pregnant Women Having The Vaccine

Despite the positive effects of the vaccine, around 60 per cent of pregnant women in England haven't had the flu vaccine this winter,  prompting Public Health England (PHE) experts to stress its importance by revealing some shocking statistics - how many women have died from the virus.

A report, published today, has found that 36 women have died from flu in the last three years.

The study, conducted by the national maternal deaths report and led by a team of academics and clinicians showed that between 2009 and 2012, flu was the cause of death in one in 11.

The women who’ve died from flu were found to have died with strains of the virus that the vaccine will protect against. Half of the deaths happened after the vaccine became available free-of-charge to pregnant women.

Lots of pregnant women are worried about the possible side effect of vaccine, but PHE experts stress that the vaccine is not a live vaccine and cannot give you flu.  

“Vaccination also helps to minimise the effects of flu in pregnancy,” says Dr Mary Ramsay, head of immunisation for PHE.

“We know that women are at increased risk of complications in pregnancy arising as a result of flu, and the risk increases in the later stages of pregnancy.

“Getting flu during pregnancy can lead to an increased risk of miscarriage, premature birth or having a low weight baby. Having the vaccination reduces the chances of getting flu, which in turn means the risk of these complications is significantly reduced.”

Children are also eligible for the free vaccine – and don’t even need to go through the trauma of an injection. Two to four year olds can simply have the as a nasal spray, making the procedure far simpler.

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Would you have the flu vaccine? Let us know in the comments.