Pregnant? It’s time to protect you and your baby from potentially serious winter bugs.
Midwives at Hull Women and Children’s Hospital are offering vaccinations for flu, RSV and whooping cough to offer vital protection against infections which can result in serious illness and even death in infants.
Public Health Midwife Joanna Melia said: “Getting vaccinated means you’re protecting you and your baby from what can be very severe conditions, particularly in infants under three months old.
“But you’ll also be doing the right thing for your friends, other family members and vulnerable people in the wider community.
“Fewer cases of flu, RSV and whooping cough means fewer hospital admissions – and that means hospitals will be able to divert their resources to saving lives.”
Around 30,000 children under five are rushed to hospitals across the UK every winter with RSV, a virus affecting 90 per cent of children under two which can cause severe lung infections including bronchiolitis and pneumonia.
Around 30 babies die of RSV each year while others are left with lifelong complications.
Whooping cough spreads very easily through coughing, sneezing or close face-to-face contact. Although anyone can get whooping cough, it’s particularly dangerous for babies under six months, who are left struggling to breathe. It’s a medical emergency and can lead to seizures.
And data from the UK Health Security Agency shows the death rate from flu more than doubled in winter 2024, including a 56 per cent increase in the number of children who died.
Whooping cough vaccination takes place at 16 to 20 weeks of pregnancy while RSV vaccination can be given at 28 weeks. Flu vaccination can take place at any time during pregnancy and you will be able to request the vaccine at any of the Hull Carousel events.
Your midwife will be able to book vaccinations at your next appointment.
