Mum promotes flu jab for pregnant women
A WIDNES mum is joining forces with the NHS to promote the flu vaccine for pregnant women.
Last winter, the number of pregnant women who had the flu jab across Cheshire and Merseyside increased to 13,795 and local health teams are aiming to beat this target.
Lauren Boswell is mum to three year old Theo and eight month year old Sienna. When she was pregnant last year she received the flu jab from her midwife. She is now helping the NHS to promote the flu vaccine to women who are pregnant this winter through Facebook and Twitter.
Hazel Richards, director of nursing for NHS England Cheshire And Merseyside, said: “As an NHS health professional, I know that the flu jab is the safest way to help protect you and your baby against flu.
“We are really grateful that Lauren has agreed to help us, as it’s good for mums to hear other mums’ positive experience of flu vaccination”.
“Pregnancy naturally weakens the body’s immune system meaning flu can cause serious complications for you and your baby. These risks include bronchitis, pneumonia and an increased risk of having a miscarriage or the baby being born prematurely or with a low birth weight.”
Lauren said: “It was important to me to get the flu vaccine to protect my baby. My son Theo attends nursery so I know it’s easy for bugs to spread between children, I wanted to do anything I could to reduce the risk of getting ill as I know my immune system was lower due to my pregnancy.”
“The vaccine was quick and painless and I didn’t experience any side effects. I’d encourage anyone who is pregnant or has small children to take up the opportunity of having the flu vaccine to protect yourself and your loved ones.”
Women can be vaccinated at any point during their pregnancy. Ask a GP, pharmacist or midwife about the free flu jab.
For more information, go to www. nhs. uk/ conditions/ preg- ● nancy- and- baby/ flu- jab- vaccine-pregnant/ or follow Facebook NHS – Cheshire, Merseyside, Lancashire and South Cumbria or Twitter @ NHSEnglandNorth #SWTWNW