Mums-to-be warned flu jab important

Health: Virus raises risk of stillbirth

Pregnant women are being told it is “more important than ever” for them to be vaccinated against the flu.

The Royal College of Midwives urged mothersto-be to get the vaccination after about half (50.1%) of pregnant women in Scotland opted against it last winter.

Women who contract flu during their pregnancy are five times more likely to have a stillborn baby or a child that dies within the first week of life.

Infected mothers can also risk becoming seriously unwell during labour.

Gillian Smith, director of the Royal College of Midwives Scotland, said: “It is more important than ever for pregnant women to protect themselves against flu, particularly with reports that this year’s flu season could be serious.

“Expectant mothers can receive the vaccine at any stage of pregnancy.

“It only takes a few minutes and will help protect them for around a year, as well as protecting the baby for around three months after birth.”

Donna Matheson, 38, from Airdrie, North Lanarkshire, who is pregnant with her second child, is being vaccinated after being seriously ill with flu before the birth of her first child.

She said: “After spending Christmas andNewYear in bed with a bout of flu, I knew it was something I didn’t want to experience again.

“When you consider the threat from flu to you and your child, and how much that is increased because of the changes to your body during pregnancy, it’s worth doing everything you can to keep you both safe.”

More than 1.8 million Scots can receive a free flu vaccination on the NHS, with those eligible including the elderly, pregnant woman and those with medical conditions that make them more vulnerable to the effects of the virus.

“It’s worth doing everything you can to keep you both safe”

Half of mums-to-be opted not to take flu jab last year