Pregnant women urgedto takeflu vaccine
Crowds gathered in Bannockburn at the weekend for the third annual Christmas lights switch-on.
The Quakerfield shopping plaza is now lit up in all its glory while additional lights have been fitted at the Allan Church Gardens and other locations in the town centre.
Those who braved the cold to witness the festive event at 6.30pm on Friday enjoyed hot drinks served by leaders from the Brownies and their helpers. There were also marshmallows toasted on a small stove to add to the festive feel.
Pitch-perfect Brownies then treated those gathered to some Christmas carols before leading the countdown to the big lights switch-on.
A spokesperson for Bannockburn Community Council said:“We would like to thank the Brownies for their help as always, along with those who assisted them – including the businesses and community of Bannockburn who donated towards the funding for additional Christmas lights for next year.
“This is the first year that BCC approached the community for funds to assist with additional lights for next year, and their donations are appreciated.” The Royal College of Midwives is urging more pregnant women across Forth Valley to get their flu vaccine to help protect themselves and their babies this winter.
The call comes after figures showed more than half (56 percent) of those pregnant in Forth Valley didn’t receive their vaccine last winter and that flu was the cause of death among one in 11 women across the country who died during, or shortly after, pregnancy.
Pregnant women who contract flu are also five times more likely to have a stillborn baby, or for the baby to die in the first week following birth.
Dr Henry Prempeh, NHS Forth Valley Public Health Consultant, said: “The vaccine is safe for pregnant women and their baby at any stage of pregnancy and also helps protect them both from what can be a serious virus.
“We are urging all pregnant women across Forth Valley to make an appointment with their GP practice; it will help protect you for up to a year and also your baby for at least three months after birth.”
Pregnant women can be much more vulnerable to flu due to changes to their immune system, heart and lungs. When pregnancy is combined with an at risk condition the risk becomes even greater. Evidence shows pregnant women have a higher chance of developing complications if they get flu, particularly in the later stages of pregnancy.
Visit www.immunisation scotland.org.uk/flu or phone NHS Inform on 0800 22 44 88 for further information.