‘Midwives urge pregnant women to have flu vaccine’
By ‘Midwives urge pregnant women to have flu vaccine’ on 25 November 2019 RCM NHS Staff Midwives Flu Vaccination MSWs - Maternity Support Workers Pregnancy Pregnancy and Weight Management
The RCM has joined with Public Health (PHE) England and NHS England to urge pregnant women to get their free flu vaccine in over the next few weeks.
The RCM says while the flu is usually a self-limiting disease for many people including pregnant women, some pregnant women maybe particularly vulnerable to severe infection.
During pregnancy, a woman’s immune system can be compromised and leaves her less able to fight off infections. That means if a woman catches the flu while pregnant, she has a higher chance of getting bronchitis or pneumonia.
Equally the RCM is urging all midwives and maternity support workers to ensure they get their flu vaccine.
Commenting, Clare Livingstone, professional policy advisor at the RCM said: “The RCM recommends that pregnant women have the flu vaccination. The flu is a highly infectious illness, which can be very serious during pregnancy for both mums-to-be and their babies. That is why we are encouraging all pregnant women to have the vaccine as soon as possible so they are protected from flu viruses circulating this winter
“It’s important that if pregnant women have any questions or concerns about the flu vaccination or any vaccination in pregnancy that they speak to their midwife, GP or practice nurse who can provide them with more information and advice.
“The RCM also urges midwives and other health professionals to have the vaccination to protect themselves, their family and the people they care for from the infection also. It is also important that all nursing staff get the vaccine themselves. This helps stop them from becoming ill but more importantly helps stop the spread of infection.”
Dr Mary Ramsay, Head of Immunisation at Public Health England, said:
“The flu vaccine is the best defence we have against what can be a serious and fatal illness, and flu season is just around the corner. If you are in an eligible group, visit your GP or pharmacist as soon possible to ensure you are protected.”
Professor Stephen Powis, NHS England national medical director, said:
“Flu can be extremely serious and even kill in some cases and getting vaccinated is the best protection against it.
“NHS services across England continue to work hard to prepare for the winter season, including staff getting their free flu jab, and now we’re appealing to the public to ‘Help Us, Help You’ by ensuring that they and their eligible children or relatives get vaccinated, now.”
ENDS
To contact the RCM Media Office call 020 7312 3456, or email [email protected].
The RCM is the only trade union and professional association dedicated to serving midwifery and the whole midwifery team. We provide workplace advice and support, professional and clinical guidance and information, and learning opportunities with our broad range of events, conferences and online resources. For more information visit the RCM website at https://www.rcm.org.uk/.
Commenting, Clare Livingstone, professional policy advisor at the RCM said: “The RCM recommends that pregnant women have the flu vaccination. The flu is a highly infectious illness, which can be very serious during pregnancy for both mums-to-be and their babies. That is why we are encouraging all pregnant women to have the vaccine as soon as possible so they are protected from flu viruses circulating this winter
“It’s important that if pregnant women have any questions or concerns about the flu vaccination or any vaccination in pregnancy that they speak to their midwife, GP or practice nurse who can provide them with more information and advice.
“The RCM also urges midwives and other health professionals to have the vaccination to protect themselves, their family and the people they care for from the infection also. It is also important that all nursing staff get the vaccine themselves. This helps stop them from becoming ill but more importantly helps stop the spread of infection.”
Dr Mary Ramsay, Head of Immunisation at Public Health England, said:
“The flu vaccine is the best defence we have against what can be a serious and fatal illness, and flu season is just around the corner. If you are in an eligible group, visit your GP or pharmacist as soon possible to ensure you are protected.”
Professor Stephen Powis, NHS England national medical director, said:
“Flu can be extremely serious and even kill in some cases and getting vaccinated is the best protection against it.
“NHS services across England continue to work hard to prepare for the winter season, including staff getting their free flu jab, and now we’re appealing to the public to ‘Help Us, Help You’ by ensuring that they and their eligible children or relatives get vaccinated, now.”
ENDS
To contact the RCM Media Office call 020 7312 3456, or email [email protected].
The RCM is the only trade union and professional association dedicated to serving midwifery and the whole midwifery team. We provide workplace advice and support, professional and clinical guidance and information, and learning opportunities with our broad range of events, conferences and online resources. For more information visit the RCM website at https://www.rcm.org.uk/.