Pregnant women and their unborn children are more likely to suffer complications from this year’s rampant flu strain and should get vaccinated immediately, health chiefs have warned.
Medical bodies representing more than 90,000 health professionals have joined forces to urge mothers-to-be to get their jabs as soon as possible.
NHS figures show that the number of people in hospital in England with flu continues to rise and remains at a record level for this time of year, though the rate of growth has slowed.
An average of 3,140 flu patients were in hospital each day, according to the latest figures, which is up on the same period in the previous two years.
Now, leading doctors and midwives are urging pregnant women to get vaccinated, adding that they and newborn babies are among the most vulnerable to flu this winter.
Data shows that pregnant women are more likely than the general population to suffer complications from flu, while babies are more likely to be admitted to hospital.
The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG), Royal College of Midwives (RCM) and Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) urged women to talk to their maternity teams or GP, adding that flu vaccines offer protection even later on in the flu season.
Dr Alison Wright, president of the RCOG, said: ‘Having the flu vaccine during pregnancy is the most effective way to protect women and their babies from getting seriously unwell with flu.
Pregnant women and their unborn babies are at great risk of complications if they catch the flu this year
A chorus of medical boards have urged expecting mothers to get the flu jab
‘This vaccine is safe, and boosts maternal antibodies against flu, which are passed on to the baby before birth for maximum protection. It is not too late to get vaccinated.
‘We strongly encourage all obstetricians, midwives, GPs and health care professionals to discuss and recommend vaccination with pregnant women at every available opportunity.’
Gill Walton, chief executive of the Royal College of Midwives, said: ‘Pregnancy is a time when women are given a huge amount of information and it’s completely understandable that it can sometimes feel overwhelming.
‘One of the simplest and most effective steps a woman can take to protect both herself and her baby is to have the flu vaccine if she hasn’t already.
‘It provides the strongest protection throughout pregnancy and significantly reduces the risk of becoming seriously unwell or needing hospital care.
‘Midwives play a vital role in supporting women to make informed choices about their health in pregnancy. They are a trusted source of advice and can talk through any concerns about vaccinations, including safety.
‘The flu vaccine has been shown to be safe at all stages of pregnancy and also helps protect babies in their first months of life, when they are most vulnerable.
‘Women can access the flu vaccine easily through their GP or maternity services, and we would encourage anyone who hasn’t yet had it to speak to their midwife about how to arrange it.
‘Midwives are there to listen, to reassure, and to support women every step of the way.’
Professor Steve Turner, president of the RCPCH, said: ‘Children are experiencing very high levels of flu this winter. Many people are mistaken in believing that flu is simply a bad cold.
‘The flu virus can cause very serious infections with lifelong implications for children, and especially infants.
‘These infections and associated hospital admissions from flu are putting our health service and its workforce under huge pressure but can be avoided by vaccination.
‘In response to this surge in flu cases, RCPCH has published a flu vaccine factsheet to encourage and support parents and carers to access flu vaccines this winter.
‘Giving your child the flu vaccine remains the best option for protecting them from this nasty infection, as well as easing pressure on the NHS during the busy winter months.’