WARRINGTON and Halton Hospitals is one of a number of health Trusts across the North West taking part in a pilot scheme to make it easier for pregnant women to get vaccinations needed to keep them and their babies safe.
The Maternal Flu and Pertussis Pharmacy scheme is being trialled by NHS England North West and involves sending vaccine provider Broadway Pharmacy into NHS Trusts to run drop-in vaccine clinics alongside antenatal services.
The aim is to improve uptake rates of the flu, pertussis (whooping cough) and COVID-19 vaccines in pregnancy, and improve the health of expectant mums and new-borns.
During pregnancy, the immune system is weaker which makes it harder to fight off infections. Pregnant women who catch COVID-19 or flu have a higher chance of developing complications, particularly in the later stages of pregnancy. Whooping cough can be very serious for young babies, with many needing hospital treatment, but they can be protected by having the vaccine in pregnancy, which passes immunity through the placenta.
Across the North West, there has been a significant drop in the number of pregnant women taking up the offer of the vaccinations that protect them from flu and whooping cough, in the two years since the pandemic started.
In some areas the numbers of women receiving the pertussis vaccine in pregnancy has fallen by up to 25 per cent which translates to thousands of unprotected women and babies.
Levels of flu are expected to be higher this winter than since before the pandemic, and the drop in flu vaccine uptake amongst pregnant women across the North West is worrying. Data shows that overall uptake among pregnant women has fallen by more than 11 per cent since 2019.
The pilot maternity vaccination scheme aims to make getting maternal vaccines convenient for expectant mums. Instead of having to attend separate appointments for the different vaccines, they can turn up at their local antenatal clinic, on a day that the pharmacy team is there, and receive any that they are due at the same time.
Pregnant women are eligible for an autumn COVID-19 booster dose and this can be given at the same time, as long as it has been at least 12 weeks since their last dose. Studies of those who are pregnant admitted to hospital with COVID-19 show there is higher risk of admission to intensive care, high blood pressure due to pre-eclampsia and premature or still birth. Vaccination remains the best way to protect mums-to-be and babies from COVID-19.
Kate Haslam, 31, who is 27 weeks pregnant with her first baby, was able to get her Covid autumn booster and flu vaccine during a lunchbreak thanks a drop in clinic.
She said: “I’ve always had any vaccines I was due because I believe it’s the right thing to do to protect myself and other people. I had previous doses of the Covid vaccine before my pregnancy and when my midwife said I was eligible for the autumn booster and flu vaccine and I could get them together at a drop in clinic, I didn’t hesitate.
“I felt it was really important to get vaccinated to protect my baby as well as myself and the whole experience of getting the vaccines was a good one.”
The pilot started in September and will run until March 31 next year, and if successful NHS England North West intends to continue the project in the region.
Talk to your midwife, to find out when the pharmacist will be visiting your local antenatal clinic.
