Pregnant women responding positively to swine flu vaccine

Health Minister, Michael McGimpsey has said that up to 5,000 pregnant women in Northern Ireland are expected to have received the swine flu vaccine by the end of this week.

In the Western Trust alone, almost half of all their pregnant women, around 1,000 women should be vaccinated by Friday after the Trust ran evening clinics staffed by midwives. Around 750 pregnant women have also been vaccinated in the Belfast Trust area during a weekend clinic, with a further 800 booked for this weekend. Other trusts are reporting high numbers of pregnant women who have booked into clinics in the days and weeks ahead.

The Minister said: "I have been greatly encouraged by the significant number of pregnant women who have been taking the opportunity to get the swine flu vaccine to protect themselves and their unborn babies. Up to 5,000 women are expected to have been vaccinated by the end of this week alone. Clinics are being organised across all five trusts and they are reporting an excellent response from pregnant women.

"As the Chief Medical Officer has advised, being pregnant can put you more at risk of being seriously ill if you catch swine flu. So far, evidence suggests that pregnant women are four times more likely to develop serious complications from swine flu and up to five times more likely to need to go to hospital. The risks of flu are highest at the later stages of pregnancy but you can get the vaccine at any time during your pregnancy.

"The vaccine offers the greatest protection to a mother and her unborn child against the complications of swine flu. I hope that other pregnant women will now be encouraged to get the vaccine."

Chief Medical Officer, Dr Michael McBride said he strongly recommended that pregnant women should be vaccinated following the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation’s recommendation that one dose of GlaxoSmithKline vaccine can be given to pregnant women at any stage of pregnancy.

He said: "In pregnancy, the immune system is naturally suppressed and the physical changes which occur mean that pregnant women who catch swine flu are more likely to develop complications including the risk of having a premature baby. That is why getting the vaccine is so important.

"However, it is also important to remember that for most pregnant women they will only have mild symptoms if they catch swine flu. So while they shouldn’t be unduly alarmed, they should protect themselves and their baby by getting vaccinated.

"All pregnant women should now have been contacted by their trust so if you have not heard anything then please get in touch with your maternity unit."

Notes to editors:

1. The clinical priority groups for the swine flu vaccination programme were recently identified by the Joint Committee for Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI). They are prioritised as they are at greatest risk of complications if they become infected with swine flu, and hence the initial focus on protecting individuals in these groups.

The clinical risk groups, in order of priority are: Individuals aged six months and up to 65 years in the current seasonal flu vaccine clinical at risk groups; Pregnant women; Household contacts of immunocompromised individuals; People aged 65 and over in the current seasonal flu vaccine clinical at risk groups.

2. Further information on the clinical risk groups for the H1N1 swine flu vaccination programme is available via this link: http://www.dhsspsni.gov.uk/hss-md-44-2009.pdf

3. The Northern Ireland swine flu helpline number 0800 0514 142 is a freephone helpline for those who want more information about swine flu. Textphone 18001 0800 0 514 142. The UK-wide flu information line on 0800 1 513 513 provides regularly updated advice on swine flu. This is also a freephone number.

4. Further information about swine flu can be found on www.dhsspsni.gov.uk and www.nidirect.gov.uk/swine-flu

5. Media enquiries to the DHSSPS Press Office on 028 9052 0575. Out of office hours contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 076 9971 5440 and your call will be returned.