Health: Vaccination all the more important as pregnancy progresses

Dec 8 2009 Swine Flu

Q. Why should pregnant women get the vaccine?

A. Women who are pregnant are more likely to have serious complications and go to hospital with swine flu.

The risk of complications, like miscarriage and premature labour, is higher the further along the pregnancy is. If you are pregnant you could avoid catching swine flu and any related complications by having the vaccination.

The overall risk however, although increased, is small.

Q. What is the difference between Tamiflu and the vaccination?

A. The vaccination is given to people to prevent them getting an infection.

The body’s immune system then makes antibodies which will fight off infection if they come in to contact with the virus.

People who have already caught swine flu will be given an antiviral, like Tamiflu. Antivirals may reduce the risk of complications if you get swine flu and can help to reduce some of the symptoms.

Q. I’ve heard that children under five are next in line to receive the swine flu vaccine. Why is this?

A. It has been announced that children over six months and under five years will be offered the vaccine once vaccination of the people in the at-risk groups has finished.

Young children are seeing the biggest impact from swine flu.

Those under five are more likely to be hospitalised if they become ill with the virus.

For this reason it is really important that children are protected.

If your child is over six months and under five years you should wait to be contacted by your local GP surgery regarding vaccination.