HSE doctor urges pregnant women to get three 'safe and highly effective' vaccines

A HSE consultant is urging pregnant women to get flu, COVID-19 and whooping cough vaccines this winter. 

Dr Aparna Keegan, who is a consultant in Public Health Medicine at the HSE National Immunisation Office, called on women to avail of the "safe and highly effective" vaccines as the cold months approach. 

According to the HSE, developing flu can be very serious for "a small number of pregnant women and their babies" and can leave women at greater risk of complications such as bronchitis. 

In rare cases, flu infection in pregnancy can lead to stillbirth, maternal death and an increased risk of miscarriage. 

The HSE has prioritised pregnant women for the autumn COVID-19 booster due to their "increased risk" of severe infection. 

Speaking today (Thursday November 16), Dr Keegan said, "The flu, COVID-19 and whooping cough vaccines are safe and highly effective in reducing the risk of severe illness, hospitalisation, and complications related to these infections.

"The protection they offer not only benefits the pregnant mother but also extends to the developing baby and provides crucial safeguarding in the early most vulnerable months of a child’s life."  

Pregnant women can get vaccinated against whooping cough, which is highly contagious and can be life-threatening for babies, between week 16 and 36 of pregnancy. 

According to the HSE, the vaccine stimulates the immune system to produce high levels of protective antibodies to the whooping cough bacteria, which will then pass to the baby in the womb. 

Dr Keegan added: "We strongly urge all pregnant women to boost their immunity this winter and get vaccinated. You can get the flu, COVID-19 and whooping cough vaccine at the same time." 

A HSE statement released earlier today assured the safety of vaccines for pregnant women. 

It states: "Extensive research and clinical evidence show that vaccines are safe for pregnant women, both the World Health Organization and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control strongly endorse the use of vaccination to protect pregnancy mothers.

"The vaccines given to pregnant women are made with inactivated or non-live components, which means they are safe for both the pregnant and the child." 

Any pregnant woman with questions about vaccines should speak to their midwife, obstetrician or GP.