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Local pharmacist and mum-to-be Niki rolls up her sleeve for flu protection
As flu season begins to take hold, local pharmacist Niki Amin, who is currently pregnant with her first child, has received her flu vaccine and is encouraging other expectant mums to do the same to protect themselves and their babies.
Niki, who works at a community pharmacy in Guildford, understands firsthand the importance of staying protected from illness during pregnancy.
With her baby due this winter, she’s taken steps to safeguard both her own health and that of her unborn child.
Niki said:
As a pharmacist and a first-time mum-to-be, I know how important it is to protect myself and my baby during pregnancy.
The flu vaccine is safe at every stage of pregnancy, and getting vaccinated gives me peace of mind knowing I’m reducing the risk of serious illness for both of us.
I’ve spoken to lots of women who weren’t sure if the flu vaccine was safe during pregnancy but the evidence is really clear.
It’s been safely given to pregnant women for over a decade, and it’s one of the best things you can do to stay healthy through winter.
Flu spreads more easily during the colder months as people spend more time indoors and for pregnant women the risks can be much more serious.
Pregnancy changes how the body handles infections like flu, increasing the risk of complications including pneumonia, hospitalisation, and in some cases, admission to intensive care.
Flu can also affect unborn babies, increasing the chances of premature birth and low birth weight. However, the flu vaccine is proven to be highly effective at reducing these risks.
Last season, flu vaccination reduced the risk of hospitalisation in adults by nearly 50%. For pregnant women, the benefits are even greater: as well as protecting the mother, the vaccine also helps protect the baby in their early months of life by passing on antibodies through the placenta.
Health experts recommend all pregnant women receive the flu vaccine, alongside other routine pregnancy vaccinations such as whooping cough and RSV, to give their babies the best start in life.
Pregnant women can receive the flu vaccine at their GP surgery, through their midwife, or at many local pharmacies.