YOU would do anything to protect your unborn baby, but many pregnant women don’t realise how dangerous and debilitating flu can be.
Getting vaccinated against flu is the best way to protect yourself and your baby from the virus, and make sure you stay flu safe all winter. If you’re pregnant the flu jab is quick, safe and completely free – just ask your midwife, GP or community pharmacist and make an appointment. You can have the jab at any stage of pregnancy, and it can also protect your baby for the first few months after birth.
Debbie Maynard, Thurrock’s head of public health, said: “We believe that around 30%
of pregnant women in Thurrock are currently being vaccinated against flu. We want to reach the 2 in 3 women that haven’t and urge them to get the jab which is safe and free.”

It normally takes up to two weeks to develop protection after the vaccine, and protection against flu lasts all winter. Pregnant women are urged to get a jab as soon as possible to minimise the risk to themselves and their babies.
Pregnant with her third child, twenty-five year old Natasha Harmsworth-Blyth, who works in Thurrock, says there was no doubt that she would have the flu jab. She said: “I think it’s extremely important for mums to do everything they can to protect their unborn child and getting the flu jab, which helps to prevent the awful flu virus, is part of that protection.”
“The jabs are very quick and quite painless so it’s definitely worth it. For each of my pregnancies I have had the recommended vaccines. I would do anything to ensure the welfare of my children and so I encourage fellow pregnant women to take up the free offer to have their flu jab.”
Research shows that the jab is safe for mother and baby and can be given at any stage of pregnancy. The earlier you have the vaccine the better as it means you will be protected for the whole winter.
Jane Foster-Taylor, Executive Nurse at NHS Thurrock CCG, said: “Pregnant women are at increased risk of serious illness if they catch flu. Remember that as well as having potentially serious consequences, flu can lay you low for a couple of weeks and make it really difficult to look after your kids or go to work. Flu is the last thing you need when you’re pregnant, and it’s so easy to avoid with a quick jab.”
The flu vaccine only lasts for a year, so if you had a vaccination last year or during a previous pregnancy, you will need another one to stay flu safe. The jab doesn’t contain the ‘live’ virus so it cannot give you the flu.
For more information, speak to your GP, midwife or community pharmacist, or visit
www.nhs.uk/flu
