Maternity Colleges urge pregnant women to get the flu vaccine and Covid-19 vaccine this winter.
Both the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and the Royal College of Midwives (RCOG) agree that both vaccines are necessary to protect women and babies.
Flu can be very dangerous for pregnant women and their babies.
Both the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and Royal College of Midwives (RCOG), say that both vaccines must be used to protect women and babies.
The colleges warn that you can get both flu and Covid at once, which could cause serious illness in pregnant women.
Dr Edward Morris, president of the RCOG, said: ‘We are concerned as we enter the winter months when viruses are particularly rife that pregnant women may be vulnerable to both COVID-19 and the flu.
‘We know the flu and COVID-19 can both individually cause severe illness in pregnancy and that’s why it is vital pregnant women have both vaccines, along with the third dose booster vaccine if they are eligible for it.
Flu can be very dangerous for pregnant women and their babies.
‘We want to reassure women that the vaccines are both safe in pregnancy and they are the best way of protecting women and their babies from becoming severely ill with COVID-19 and flu.’
Gill Walton, chief executive of the RCM, warned having Covid during pregnancy can have ‘serious consequences’ for both mothers and their babies.
She said: ‘It can double the chance of stillbirth and triples the chance of a pre-term birth, which can have long term health impacts for the baby.’
‘Covid vaccines are recommended at any stage of pregnancy.’