Doctor urges expectant mums to have swine flu vaccine
Oct 27 2009 The Journal
A PREGNANT doctor is encouraging other expectant mums to have the swine flu vaccine to protect themselves and their unborn child against the potentially-fatal virus.
Consultant physician Katie Elmer is expecting her second baby later this year and is one of the medical experts leading a flu pandemic preparedness team.
While getting the Pandremix jab, manufactured in County Durham, she emphasised how important it was for pregnant woman, frontline health workers and those in vulnerable groups to take up the offer of the vaccine as soon as possible.
Dr Elmer, a specialist in respiratory medicine at North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Trust, said: “As both a mother and an expectant mother I’m keen to protect my young daughter, my unborn baby and myself from the illness.
“We saw in the surge during the summer that the virus hit younger people and pregnant women.”
Dr Elmer is on e of the first in the region to get the vaccine, and said she had no doubts over the decision.
“I’m personally not prepared to take the risk of being affected myself and putting my baby at risk which is why I've decided to have the vaccine and I'm encouraging others to do the same.
“As with all vaccines there are risks and of course people have to weigh them up. However, in my opinion a slightly sore arm and the possibility of feeling a bit unwell for a day or so far outweigh the risk of contracting either seasonal flu or swine flu.”
Yesterday doses of the swine flu vaccine arrived at GP surgeries across the North East so that it could be offered to people with health problems, damaged immune systems or pregnant women.
Expectant mothers are being urged to take up the offer because their suppressed immune system makes them particularly vulnerable to the effects of the virus.
