Whooping cough & seasonal flu immunisation...


for Pregnant Women


t’s recommended that all pregnant women, whatever their stage of pregnancy, have the flu vaccine to help protect themselves and their babies.


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Pregnant women benefit from the flu vaccine because it:


• reduces your risk of serious complications such as pneumonia


• reduces your risk of having a baby born too early or with a low birth weight


• helps protect your baby who will continue to have some immunity to flu during the first few months of life


• helps protect other children in the household


The flu vaccine changes every year to fight the latest strains of flu, so even if you had a jab before you need another one this year.


The flu vaccine is also recommended for certain groups of children:


• Children aged six months to less than 18 years with a chronic illness as they are at increased risk from flu.


• All children aged two and three years as part of the NHS childhood vaccination programme.


The flu vaccine is not suitable for babies under six months of age.


It’s also recommended that all pregnant women who are 28-38 weeks pregnant have the whooping cough vaccine to help protect their babies from getting the disease.


Whooping cough (pertussis) is a serious infection that causes long bursts of coughing and choking, making it hard to breathe. The ‘whoop’ is caused by gasping for breath after each bout of coughing, though babies don’t always make this noise. Getting vaccinated while pregnant can help to protect your baby from developing whooping cough. The antibodies your body produces pass to your baby through the placenta and help protect your baby until they can start their own whooping cough vaccination course at two months.


For further information contact your midwife, health visitor, GP, or go to NHS Choices at www.nhs.uk


Becky Reynolds,


consultant in public health, B&NES Council


Jean Gladwin,


locum consultant in public health, B&NES Council


Small Steps 13


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