Fight flu - better for baby, better for you
Published 11 Feb 2012 09:30
Women in Ayrshire and Arran are being urged to take up the offer of a free flu vaccination to protect themselves and also their baby from the possible serious effects of flu.
Only half of pregnant women who have another medical condition and who are eligible for a free flu vaccination in Ayrshire and Arran have so far taken up the offer.
Pregnant women who have other medical conditions can find that contracting the flu virus can have an extremely serious impact on their health - and in some cases, even be life-threatening. In addition, pregnant women who are otherwise healthy can still develop serious health complications if they contract flu - and of concern, only a third of these pregnant women have had their flu jab.
With many people not realising that 'flu season' lasts into spring there is still plenty of time for women to book themselves in for their flu jab. Midwives or GP practice nurses can provide the flu jab - it only takes a few minutes and the vaccine provides protection from flu for both mother and baby.
Dr Gill Hawkins, Consultant in Public Health, said: "I would strongly encourage any woman who is pregnant to take up the offer of a free flu vaccination. The symptoms of flu are unpleasant for most people but for pregnant woman they can be extremely serious. The flu vaccine is a safe and effective way of protecting both yourself and your baby."
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