The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is encouraging all pregnant women, particularly those from Black, British Caribbean and Black British African communities who last year were less likely to get vaccinated, to book their flu and Covid-19 jabs to protect them and their unborn children from the serious infections.
Dr Mary Ramsay, director of immunisation at UKHSA, said, ‘Taking up both the flu and COVID-19 vaccines provides the best protection for both pregnant women and their baby, reducing the risk of severe complications, intensive care needs, stillbirth, and prematurity.
‘The vaccines also provide some level of protection to your newborn in the first few months of life, which is particularly important for flu as babies under 6 months old are at high risk of severe disease.
‘The flu & COVID-19 vaccines have a good safety record for expectant mothers at every stage of pregnancy. It’s natural to have questions about vaccines during pregnancy, so please reach out to a healthcare professional to get the facts about these vaccinations.’
Those working in the early years sector are also being encouraged to raise awareness among parents about the annual flu nasal spray vaccination programme for pre-school (aged two and three) children.
Primary pupils will also be offered the free nasal spray flu vaccine within their school.
