Midwives encourage pregnant women to get their flu jab

Rochdale patient Catherine White, with midwife Colette Collier at Rochdale Infirmary antenatal clinic

Midwives who run antenatal clinics at Rochdale Infirmary are encouraging pregnant women to take up the offer of a seasonal flu vaccination this year.

The flu jab has been shown to provide protection for women during pregnancy and for first four to six months of their baby’s life.

Cathy Trinick, division director for women and children’s services and former head of midwifery at The Pennine Acute Trust, said: “It is so important for pregnant women to protect themselves and their new babies.

“Pregnant women are at increased risk of serious complications from flu as their bodies and immune systems are adapting to accommodate their growing baby and so are less able to fight off the flu virus.

“We are advising pregnant women at all our antenatal clinics across all our hospitals, including Rochdale Infirmary.

“We know that the H1N1 virus will be circulating again this year. Pregnant women who contract this virus are five times more likely to be admitted to hospital and seven times more likely to be admitted to critical care as a result.

“Women can have the flu vaccination at any stage of their pregnancy, and although some women may experience mild side effects from the vaccine, such as a slight fever, fatigue, headache and swelling at the injection site, these will usually disappear after one or two days.

“The earlier they have the vaccine the better as it means that they will be protected for the whole winter. Ask your GP or midwife for more information.”

Last year 16,356 pregnant women from the North West had the flu vaccine last year, but this was only 43.3 per cent of the number eligible. All pregnant women are eligible for a free flu vaccine.

In June 2011 Rochdale Infirmary’s inpatient maternity services relocated to The Royal Oldham Hospital as part of the Making it Better reorganisation of children’s and maternity services across Greater Manchester. This means there are no longer births or overnight antenatal or overnight postnatal care at Rochdale Infirmary. However, other maternity services, including routine outpatient antenatal care and scans, remain at the hospital.