Midwives fight vaccine rumours

Thursday December 22nd, 2011

Midwives have moved to stem rumours which are deterring pregnant women from agreeing to flu vaccination.

Sue Sherlock, deputy head of midwifery at Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, listed a series of rumours that have come to her attention.

This includes statements that midwives are offering a different vaccine from GPs.

So far in England, just 25 per cent of pregnant women have agreed to have the vaccine. This is four times more than a year ago.

But out of 27 adult women admitted to hospital with flu in England this year, eight have been pregnant - highlighting the increased risk in pregnancy.

Ms Sherlock said another untrue rumour was that the vaccine is not safe in the first three months of pregnancy.

She said: "It is really worrying that some women do not want to take up the offer of the vaccine as they are more susceptible to complications; around a third of the woman hospitalised due to flu last winter were pregnant.

"This year our midwives at Chorley and Royal Preston hospitals have heard a host of rumours from mums-to-be, which might be putting women off."

Fiona Print, who coordinates NHS Central Lancashire's vaccination programme, said: "In pregnancy, the immune system is naturally suppressed, which raises the risk of complications such as pneumonia, which can lead to premature labour or miscarriage.

"I fully understand concerns about the safety of the flu jab but not only is it safe for pregnant women to have it, but it offers vital protection."

Tags: Childbirth and Pregnancy | Flu & Viruses | Nursing & Midwifery | UK News | Women’s Health & Gynaecology

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