Pregnant women urged to beware flu
Statistics highlight that flu was the cause of death among one in 11 women 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.
The vaccine offered is a good match for the circulating strains being detected and is expected to provide good levels of protection. Women can have the flu vaccination at any stage of pregnancy and evidence shows the vaccine can help to protect the baby for up to three months after birth.
Director of the Royal College of Midwives Scotland, Gillian Smith said: “It has now become critical we stress to pregnant women that flu is a really serious illness.”