Ahead of winter, NHS Greater Manchester (GM) is launching a new campaign giving pregnant women across the region the information and reassurance needed to get their winter vaccines for both flu and COVID-19 as soon as possible.
Research has shown that uptake of the COVID-19 vaccine is low compared to those not pregnant in GM – due to fears about how safe it is to have multiple vaccinations during this time.
That’s why the campaign aims to encourage and support pregnant women across GM to make informed decisions about getting their winter vaccines – providing advice on where to get reliable information from and addressing concerns via clinicians and videos featuring real-life experiences of seven women in the region who were vaccinated during pregnancy.
One such story, features Lucy, 30 from Tameside, who chose to get all the vaccines because the first time she had COVID-19 she was extremely ill, ending up with blood clots on her lungs. This meant she wanted to be fully vaccinated while pregnant to not only protect both herself and her unborn baby, but to also pass on the anti-bodies to her child to protect them in the future.
While in another video, Tochi, 31 from Bolton, discusses how she decided to get fully vaccinated to ensure she was protected against serious illnesses and to help ensure her baby was healthy. The vaccines caused her no problems at all, so when her friend told her she wasn’t going to get them, she encouraged her to do research and read more about it on the NHS website – leading to her friend changing her mind and getting the vaccinations.
Being fully vaccinated against flu and COVID-19 is vital for the health of pregnant women as they are more vulnerable to becoming seriously unwell and hospitalised with any virus during pregnancy due to weakening effects on the immune system in pregnancy.
The Maternity Mortality Surveillance and Confidential Enquiry Report, and the UK Obstetric Surveillance System reports show of those who were pregnant when acquiring covid-19, those who were unvaccinated have poorer clinical outcomes – including increased hospitalisation of mum and baby that could lead to a premature birth. In fact, at points in time during the pandemic, data showed that almost 20% of our most critically ill ICU patients were unvaccinated pregnant women.
The campaign highlights these statistics, while also encouraging women to take the time to do their own research to ensure they feel confident getting all their winter vaccines. Through consulting with their GP, midwife and other healthcare professionals; speaking to other women who have been vaccinated; and only reading information and research from reliable sources such as the NHS website.
Dr Helen Wall, Clinical Director for Population Health at NHS Greater Manchester Integrated Care said: “Understandably, we know that a lot of women can be nervous about having jabs during their pregnancy, especially with so much misinformation out there about the COVID-19 vaccination. But we can’t emphasise enough the risks not being vaccinated pose to pregnant women – which is why this campaign is so important.
“The growing evidence of harm from both virus’ in pregnant women is quite alarming. So as a mother and GP, I want to encourage pregnant women to seek out a vaccine for both covid and flu this autumn as our hospitalisation rates for both have already began to climb.
“Vaccinations are our best defence against flu and COVID-19, ahead of what could be a very challenging winter with the rise of the new variant.
“That’s why I urge anyone who is pregnant to please come forward as soon as possible to ensure you have the extra protection needed to keep you and your baby safe.
“There will be many sites all over Greater Manchester offering both flu and COVID-19 vaccinations, so we encourage people to get both – either at the same time or separately.
“Being symptomatic with covid is also much more miserable while pregnant and unable to self-medicate a fever and aches and pains and I am already meeting pregnant women in practice who are suffering.
“If you are worried about getting the jabs – speak to your midwife or GP who will be able to answer any questions you have and point you in the direction of further legitimate sources of information.”
The winter flu and COVID-19 vaccination programme provides vital protection to those eligible and their families over winter – keeping people from developing serious illnesses, and helping to minimise hospitalisations during busy winter months.
Wherever possible, vaccinations for flu and COVID-19 will be offered at the same time – making it easier and more convenient for people to get vital protection from both viruses ahead of winter. They will also be offered separately if preferred.
It is important that those eligible this year come forward for their vaccinations as protection fades over time, and the virus that causes flu and COVID can change from year to year.
Adult flu and COVID-19 appointments are available through the NHS App and website, or by calling 119 for those who can’t get online. Flu vaccines are also available through local GP practices and pharmacies.
There is no change to flu vaccinations for children which will be offered in schools from early October, to prevent children from getting seriously ill from flu and ending up hospital, and to break the chain of transmission of the virus to the wider population.
The nasal flu vaccine is the most effective vaccine for children aged 2-17 years but if this is not suitable the GP or practice nurse may be able to offer a flu vaccine injection as an alternative.
NHS GM is particularly keen to vaccinate children aged 2-3 years early on for flu, due to the high number of hospitalisations in under 5s with flu last year.
Health and social care workers are also eligible for the winter vaccines and encouraged to come forward as soon as they can to ensure they are protected when at work.
For more information about the Autumn Winter vaccine programme you can visit: https://gmintegratedcare.org.
To find your nearest COVID-19 walk in clinic visit: https://gmintegratedcare.org.
