NEWS RELEASE from the NHS

Concern over low flu jab uptake among pregnant women

PREGNANT women are being urged to have their free flu jab after figures revealed the current uptake across north Essex is worryingly low.

It is only since 2009 that pregnant women have been recommended to receive the vaccine, when they were added to the over-65s and under-65s in certain 'at risk' groups as people entitled to a free jab.

However, latest figures for north Essex show just 18 per cent of pregnant women have so far taken advantage of the free flu vaccination. Last winter, at the end of the flu campaign, the figure was 40 per cent.

Dr Pam Hall, Public Health Consultant for NHS North Essex, said: "There is good evidence that pregnant women are at increased risk from complications if they contract flu, and particularly the H1N1v strain which has been prevalent for the past couple of years. As such, all pregnant women are recommended to receive the seasonal flu vaccine, irrespective of their stage of pregnancy, to prevent possible serious illness for both the mother and her baby.

"During pregnancy, women are more likely to become seriously ill if they contract flu. Studies on flu vaccine in pregnancy concluded that flu vaccine can be safely and effectively given during any stage of pregnancy and may provide passive immunity against flu to infants in the first few months of their life.

"The flu jab is simple and safe and I would urge any pregnant woman to contact their GP surgery to arrange a vaccination now."

The take-up of the free flu jab among the over-65s and the under-65s in 'at risk' groups is this year already close to the final figure for last year which, said Dr Hall, is encouraging, though she urged those who have not yet had their jab to contact their GP surgery to arrange one.

"I think one of the issues among pregnant women is awareness. It is only the past couple of years they have been entitled to a free jab. However, it is important they take up the free jab. During the swine flu pandemic two winters ago, pregnant women died in every country affected by the virus and they were at least four times more likely to end up in hospital or intensive care units with complications," added Dr Hall.

It is also important that people who had a flu vaccination last year still have this year's seasonal jab as, unlike other vaccinations, a flu vaccination is only effective for a 12-month period.

November 29 2011.

Issued on behalf of NHS North Essex by PJR Communications Ltd. For further information contact Peter Richardson on 01206 843225.