Bugs off that bump! Vaccinations during pregnancy

As the cold weather draws in and our minds turn to winter illnesses, let's talk about something important: maternal vaccination. We all know how crucial it is to keep our mums-to-be and their little ones safe from nasty infections. In the UK, we recommend vaccines for flu, whooping cough (pertussis), COVID-19, and the newly rolled out RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) during pregnancy. But, despite all the benefits, not every pregnant woman takes up this offer. So, how can nurses and midwives help ensure every woman and baby benefits?

Why maternal vaccination matters

Expectant and new mums have a higher risk of serious illness if they catch diseases such as flu and Covid-19, with vaccination protecting against complications like pneumonia. When a pregnant woman gets vaccinated, she's not just protecting herself but also passing on antibodies to her baby. This means the little one gets a head start in fighting off infections during those first few vulnerable months. For example, the whooping cough vaccine is literally a lifesaver, protecting newborns from a potentially deadly disease. 

Busting myths about maternal vaccination

There are widespread myths about vaccines, and it’s important that health professionals address these head-on:

Myth: Vaccines can harm the baby
Fact: Vaccines recommended during pregnancy, like the flu and whooping cough vaccines, are thoroughly tested for safety. They do not contain live viruses, so they can’t cause the diseases they’re meant to protect against. 

Myth: Vaccines contain harmful ingredients
Fact: Some people worry about ingredients like aluminium or mercury in vaccines. UK vaccinations do not contain mercury, and the amount of other chemicals used is extremely small and helps the vaccine work better. It’s much less than what we encounter in our daily environment.

Myth: Vaccines aren’t necessary if you’re healthy
Fact: Even healthy pregnant women and their babies benefit from vaccines. Pregnancy changes the immune system, making women more susceptible to severe illness from infections like the flu. Having a healthy lifestyle cannot protect a baby from serious diseases such as whooping cough or RSV.

Tips to boost vaccine uptake

1. Educate and communicate

• Keep It Simple and Consistent: Make sure everyone working with expectant and new mums are on the same page with clear, consistent messages about the safety and benefits of vaccines. Use trusted sources like the NHS and UK Health Security Agency.
• Tailor information: Ensure information includes people from different cultural backgrounds and languages. This way, everyone feels included and understood.

2. Build trust

• Personal Touch: discuss vaccination with pregnant women to address their specific worries and bust any myths they might have. 
• Community Connections: Partner with community leaders and groups to spread the word about vaccines. This can help reach women who might not trust the healthcare system.

3. Make it easy

• Flexible and convenient appointments: Offer vaccine appointments at different times, including evenings and weekends, to fit into busy lives for women who are working or caring for other children. Coordinate vaccination clinics with antenatal appointments to provide easy access.
• Mobile Clinics and Home Visits: For those who can’t easily get to a clinic, consider outreach clinics in community venues or home visits to make sure they get their vaccines.

4. Create a supportive environment

• Train the team: Regularly update all staff on the latest vaccine guidelines and best practices. This ensures everyone, from receptionists to midwives, can confidently talk about and promote vaccines.

Your role matters

Encouraging more mums-to-be to take up vaccinations is a mix of ensuring appropriate education, building trust with families and easy access to the vaccinations. As nurses and midwives, you impact a nation of families, both via your work and through the trust your family and friends have in your advice. By using evidence-based strategies, you can help ensure more pregnant women get the vaccines they need to protect themselves and their babies.