Pregnant NHS midwife Lucy Pryde, from South Yorkshire, is leading by example by getting a free flu jab to protect her and her babies.

Lucy, who works for The Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust as a Specialist Midwife (Smoking in Pregnancy Team), warned that without the protection of vaccination pregnant women could be putting themselves and their babies at risk of serious complications associated with flu.

“As a midwife I have my flu jab each year and I have always encouraged my patients to get theirs too, it is so very important,” Lucy said.

“There is a common misconception the influenza vaccine can give you the flu, but it isn’t an active vaccine so this simply isn’t true. The truth is that without the vaccine you could be putting yourself and your baby at risk of serious health complications associated with flu.

“This year I have two more reasons to get my jab – I am pregnant with twins! Although I am usually fit and healthy, I just wouldn’t want to take the risk and I’d encourage other mums-to-be to get their vaccines, too. However fit and healthy you might feel, if you’re pregnant you need the free flu vaccine – now. It’s the safest way to protect you and your baby against the virus.”

Pregnancy naturally weakens the body’s immune system and as a result flu can cause serious complications for women and their babies. One of the most common complications of flu is bronchitis, a chest infection that can become serious and develop into pneumonia. If women have flu while they’re pregnant, it could mean their baby is born prematurely or has a low birthweight which could even lead to stillbirth.

Flu vaccination in pregnancy means that flu antibodies are transferred through the placenta to the baby, which gives the baby some protection against flu for the first few months of life. It is safe to have the vaccine at any stage during pregnancy.

Dr Tracey Cooper MBE, Regional Chief Midwife for the NHS North East and Yorkshire, said that the flu jab is the safest way to help protect pregnant women and their babies against flu, no matter how many months pregnant they are.

“There is strong evidence that pregnant women have a higher risk of serious illness as a result of flu compared with the general population. The risks are highest in the last three months of pregnancy,” Dr Cooper said. “Studies have shown that women who have been vaccinated against flu are less likely to give birth prematurely, and less likely to have a low-birthweight baby.”

If you or someone you know is pregnant they should ask their pharmacist, GP or midwife about the free flu vaccine. While COVID-19 is in circulation, providers of flu vaccination will have measures in place to keep you safe. Staff giving the vaccine will be wearing protective equipment to protect both you and them from the virus. Appointment times may also be scheduled to reduce numbers in the waiting area or you may be asked not to arrive early.