Influenza Information for Antenatal Care Providers
Key messages and advice:
- Pregnant women and their babies are at increased risk for severe influenza and complications
- Influenza vaccination during pregnancy should be routine
- the safety and benefits of influenza vaccination during pregnancy are well established
- Pregnant women and new mothers should be encouraged to seek help early if influenza-like symptoms develop
- early treatment with anti-influenza medications may prevent serious complications
- Pregnant women and new mothers should be encouraged to:
- practice good respiratory etiquette and hand hygiene
- keep themselves and their babies away from others who are sick, particularly those with a coughing illness
Resources:
NSW Health Influenza vaccination in pregnancy information for Obstetricians and Maternity Services
An update from Dr Michael Nicholl, NSW Health Obstetric Advisor, and Dr Jeremy McAnulty, Director, Health Protection NSW, that stresses the importance of increasing uptake of seasonal influenza vaccination among pregnant women.
NSW Health Influenza Vaccination in Pregnancy Brochures
Protect you and your baby from influenza (flu)
Further copies of the pregnacy brochures can be ordered from the Better Health Centre at bhc@nsccahs.health.nsw.gov.au.
Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG) Statement: Influenza Vaccination for Pregnant Women (C-Obs 45) - November 2011
"Influenza vaccination during pregnancy should be routine: safety is well established and both maternal and infant benefit is now proven with only 5 vaccination doses estimated to prevent one case of serious maternal or infant respiratory illness..." [link to the full statement]
The Australian Immunisation Handbook (10th Edition, 2013): Influenza vaccine recommendations - Pregnancy
"Pregnant women (and women planning pregnancy) are recommended to be immunised against influenza because they are at increased risk of morbidity and mortality from influenza and because there is good evidence that influenza immunisation in pregnancy is safe and effective..." [link to the full text]