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15/10/2009
Mums-In-Wating Get Unproved Flu Jab
It has emerged that pregnant women are to get a form of swine flu vaccine that is not recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO).
The vaccine Pandemrix, which makes up the bulk of NHS supply, contains a chemical called an adjuvant that has never been tested on mums-to-be.
The WHO Strategic Advisory Group said that pregnant women should be given adjuvant-free formulations of the vaccine whenever possible.
But the Department of Health's Director of Immunisations Professor David Salisbury said that even though the NHS has stocks of an alternative vaccine called Celvapan, it will not be prioritised for pregnant women
"If the virus is increasing, as it has been recently and we had the supply of one vaccine ahead of the other, then we have to make a judgement that says pregnant women are at high risk and they need to be protected.
"In those circumstances I would recommend whatever is available to hand to protect them," he told Sky News today.
The Department of Health says pregnant women are four times more likely to suffer serious complications if they catch swine flu and vaccination is essential.
It insists Pandemrix is safe and licensed for mums-to-be.
However, the licence was granted by medicine regulators based on clinical trials in healthy adults.
(BMcC/GK)
The vaccine Pandemrix, which makes up the bulk of NHS supply, contains a chemical called an adjuvant that has never been tested on mums-to-be.
The WHO Strategic Advisory Group said that pregnant women should be given adjuvant-free formulations of the vaccine whenever possible.
But the Department of Health's Director of Immunisations Professor David Salisbury said that even though the NHS has stocks of an alternative vaccine called Celvapan, it will not be prioritised for pregnant women
"If the virus is increasing, as it has been recently and we had the supply of one vaccine ahead of the other, then we have to make a judgement that says pregnant women are at high risk and they need to be protected.
"In those circumstances I would recommend whatever is available to hand to protect them," he told Sky News today.
The Department of Health says pregnant women are four times more likely to suffer serious complications if they catch swine flu and vaccination is essential.
It insists Pandemrix is safe and licensed for mums-to-be.
However, the licence was granted by medicine regulators based on clinical trials in healthy adults.
(BMcC/GK)
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The Department of Health has said on Thursday that it needs further advice from the committee looking into the flu vaccine before it can roll out a larger programme. The announcement follows a request from Health Secretary Andrew Lansley to look at whether the flu vaccination programme should be extended to healthy children.
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Overweight mothers pose health risk, study claims
Overweight and obese mums-to-be are risking the health of themselves and their unborn children, as well as putting additional strain on the health service, research has suggested. Researchers at Teesside University carried out a study into maternal obesity and pregnancy outcome.
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Pregnant Women To Be Offered Whooping Cough Vaccine
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Nice Suggests More Midwife-Led Home Births
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Nice Suggests More Midwife-Led Home Births
Women who are healthy and experiencing a 'straight forward' (low risk) pregnancy should be encouraged to give birth in a midwife-led unit rather than a traditional labour ward, according to draft proposals from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
