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Mum urges pregnant women to have the flu vaccine

06/11/2019
This article is more than four years old.

A mum-to-be is urging other pregnant women to make sure that they have a free NHS flu vaccination.

Amy Jones, 37, who is seven months pregnant, had the flu jab at her GP practice in Faringdon in October 2019.

Amy said: "I'm pleased to have had the vaccine to help protect me and my baby. The jab was painless and over very quickly. It doesn't matter what stage of the pregnancy you are at, even if you discover you are pregnant later on in the flu season - have the vaccination.  During my two other pregnancies I had the flu vaccination to keep me and the babies well and healthy."

Dr Ed Capo-Bianco, Urgent Care Lead at Oxfordshire CCG, said: "It's important for pregnant women to have the vaccine as pregnancy weakens the body's immune system and flu can cause serious complications for the mother and baby.

"The vaccine is safe for both pregnant and breastfeeding women and actually passes some protection on to your baby in the first few months of life. I urge all pregnant women to visit their GP practice to have the vaccination when contacted by their surgery."

Pregnant women in Oxfordshire can get the free flu vaccine at their GP practice, at community pharmacies and most maternity services.

For more information on flu vaccination and pregnant women visit the CCG website.

A free NHS flu vaccine is available for the following groups.

  • People aged 65 years and over
  • Patients aged from six months to 65 years in clinical 'at risk' groups (see below)
  • Pregnant women
  • Children in primary school
  • People in long-stay residential care homes
  • Carers
  • People in close contact with patients with impaired immune systems
  • Social care and hospice workers who provide direct patient care
  • Health and social care staff, employed by a registered residential care/nursing home or registered home care provider

The free flu vaccine is available to patients who have one of the following conditions.

  • Heart problem
  • Chest complaint or breathing difficulties, including bronchitis, emphysema or severe asthma
  • Kidney disease
  • Lowered immunity due to disease or treatment (such as steroid medication or cancer treatment)
  • Liver disease
  • Stroke or a transient ischaemic attack (TIA)
  • Diabetes
  • Neurological condition e.g. multiple sclerosis
  • Morbid obesity (BMI over 40)
  • Cerebral palsy or a learning disability

For more information on the NHS flu vaccine visit the CCG website.