Pregnant women are being urged by NSW Health to get a flu shot in lead up to winter. Source: AAP
AS the winter chill starts to arrive, NSW Health is urging pregnant women to get their flu shots.
WOMEN in their second or third trimester of pregnancy are at greater risk of developing serious complications, such as pneumonia, which can put them and their baby at risk, Vicky Sheppeard, director of the communicable diseases branch at NSW Health says.
“The risk of premature labour and delivery is also increased,” she said in a statement on Saturday. Influenza vaccines are not available for children less than six months old, so pregnant women who get them would also be protecting their newborn babies. The vaccine can be given at any stage of pregnancy, and is safe and free, Dr Sheppeard said.