Flu alert to pregnant women

THE Royal College of Midwives is urging more pregnant women across Tayside to have their flu vaccination to help protect themselves and their babies this winter.

The call comes after statistics highlighted that just over two-fifths (42%) of those pregnant in Tayside didn’t receive their vaccine last winter and that flu was the cause of death of one in 11 women who died during, or shortly after, pregnancy.

Pregnant women who contract flu are also five ti mes more likely to have a stillborn baby, or for the baby to die in the first week following birth.

Mary Ross-Davie, director of the Royal College of Midwives Scotland, said: “Flu is a really serious illness — it is not just a bad cold.

“It can have a serious impact on those expecting a baby, which is why we’re encouraging expectant mothers to get the vaccine.”

Visit immunisationscotland.org.uk/flu or phone NHS Inform on 0800 22 44 88 for more information.

Mark Coats was walking home from Tesco, South Road, when the two men — described as being between 18 and 25 — approached him from behind and smacked him on the back of the head with the masonry.

The assailants demanded that the 45-year-old hand over his wallet, which he had not taken with him.

Instead, the thieves made do with robbing him of what little money he did have on him — 35p in change.

They also made off with his rucksack and an 18-bottle crate of Bud Light.

Mark, from Menzieshill, today told the Tele of the harrowing experience, saying that if the blow had been on his temple then he could have been in a coma or died as a result.

He said: “I had gone down to Tesco to pick up a few beers for watching the TV. When I came across the car park, there were two guys there but I didn’t think anything of it because you often see people standing around there, kids etc.

“I was walking back up the road and the two of them were behind me. They kept on getting closer and closer and I had a feeling that something was wrong.

“Then it happened. They walloped me right on the back of the head with a brick and demanded my wallet – I don’t even carry a wallet, I just carry what money I need.

“When I told them that, they said they would ‘******* stab me’.

“I didn’t see a knife but I didn’t want to take the risk.

“I only had 35p in change and I gave them that. They took my bag and beers and took off running.”

POLICE are on the hunt for two men who hit a Dundee man on the head with a brick and robbed him — for just 35p.