Each year around 600,000 women give birth in England
The Department of Health and Social Care has launched a new national vaccination campaign, ‘Stay Strong. Get Vaccinated’, it is intended to protect newborn babies. The campaign urges vaccination against flu, RSV and whooping cough to protect newborns this winter.
Expectant mums are being urged by health officials including UK Health Security Agency and Department of Health and Social Care to get vaccinated against flu, RSV and whooping cough to protect their babies this winter, as the government launches a new national campaign.
The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) campaign – ‘Stay Strong. Get Vaccinated’ – uses bubble wrap imagery to show how vaccination during pregnancy passes life-saving antibodies through the placenta to protect newborns.
Health Minister Ashley Dalton said: “We urge expectant mothers to come forward for their flu, RSV and whooping cough jabs – it’s one of the most powerful ways to protect your baby through those critical first months.
“Winter is always tough for the NHS but we are working hard to ramp up preparations so the health service is ready for patients when they need it.
“Let’s work together to protect ourselves and ease pressure on our NHS – the single best way you can protect yourself and your family is by getting vaccinated.”
The multi-channel campaign supported by the UK Health Security Agency and NHS England will be shown across TV, video on demand, radio, outdoor advertising and social media.
Each year around 600,000 women give birth in England. New data from UKHSA reveals hundreds of thousands of pregnant women missed vital vaccines last winter.
Advice on Gov.uk says: “With 12 infant deaths from whooping cough since the beginning of 2024 and hundreds of babies hospitalised from vaccine-preventable illnesses, it is vital that pregnant women receive their vaccine at the right time – ideally between 20 and 32 weeks.
“If you are pregnant and approaching 20 weeks and have not been offered the whooping cough vaccine, please speak to your GP or midwife today to find out how you can get your vaccine.”
RSV infects around 90% of children in their first two years of life and can cause a lung infection called bronchiolitis. The RSV season usually starts in October and while there is no risk-free birth month, babies born in late summer or the autumn are most likely to be admitted to hospital.
There are some vaccines that the NHS do not recommend in pregnancy, If a vaccine uses a live version of the virus, such as the MMR vaccine, you’ll usually be advised to wait until after your baby is born before you get vaccinated. The NHS has further information about these vaccines on its website.
link