‘Thousands of women and babies’ are unprotected against a rise in childhood illnesses, say NHS health chiefs. The warning comes after rapidly falling numbers of people getting basic vaccines in the wake of the pandemic.
Across the North West, there has been a ‘significant drop’ in the number of pregnant women taking up flu and whooping cough vaccinations in the two years since the pandemic began. In some areas, the number of women receiving the pertussis vaccine for whooping cough has fallen by as much as 25 per cent, translating to thousands unprotected, says the NHS.
Data shows that overall uptake for the flu vaccine among pregnant women has fallen by more than 11 per cent since 2019. Levels of flu are expected to be higher this winter than since before the pandemic, and the drop in flu vaccine uptake amongst pregnant women across the region ‘is worrying’, claims the health services.
The immune system is weaker during pregnancy, which makes it harder to fight off infections. Pregnant women who catch Covid-19 or flu have a higher chance of developing complications, particularly in the later stages of pregnancy.
Whooping cough can be very serious for young babies, with many needing hospital treatment. But they can be protected by having the vaccine in pregnancy, which passes immunity through the placenta.
Cases of whooping cough are also expected to rise following the easing of lockdown and social distancing measures, according to the UK Health Security Agency. The UKHSA said: “The coronavirus pandemic and the implementation of social distancing measures and lockdown across the UK from 23 March 2020 had a significant impact on the spread and detection of other infections including pertussis.
“From July 2021 Covid-19 containment measures were withdrawn in England. Vaccination continues to be important as levels of disease are likely to increase following the easing of control measures.”
But vaccination levels have been marred over the course of the pandemic as some people have experienced vaccine hesitancy, taking more time to consider whether they want a new vaccine. With the most recent Covid-19 vaccine boosters, Greater Manchester NHS sources have said that 'vaccine fatigue' is playing a role in the decline of uptake.
Some people are now getting their fourth or fifth Covid-19 vaccine in two years. There has been an increasing tendency for some people to question whether they need it or if they can be bothered booking an appointment to get one, Greater Manchester health leaders tell the Manchester Evening News .
The concerns around the drop in vaccination rates come as pharmacy vaccination teams are now going into antenatal clinics across the North West as part of a new pilot scheme. The scheme is hoped to make it easier for pregnant women to get the vaccinations needed to keep them and their babies safe.
Instead of having to attend separate appointments for the different vaccines, they can turn up at their local antenatal clinic, on a day that the Maternal Flu and Pertussis Pharmacy team is there, and receive any that they are due at the same time.
Pregnant women are eligible for an autumn Covid-19 booster dose and this can be given at the same time, as long as it has been at least 12 weeks since their last dose. Those who are pregnant admitted to hospital with Covid-19 show there is higher risk of admission to intensive care, high blood pressure due to pre-eclampsia and premature or stillbirth, says the North West’s NHS team
‘Vaccination remains the best way to protect mums-to-be and babies from Covid-19’, adds the NHS.
Kate Haslam, 31, who is 27 weeks’ pregnant with her first baby, was able to get her Covid autumn booster and flu vaccine during a lunch break thanks to the offer of a drop in clinic at Macclesfield Hospital.
She said: “I’ve always had any vaccines I was due because I believe it’s the right thing to do to protect myself and other people. I had previous doses of the Covid vaccine before my pregnancy and when my midwife said I was eligible for the autumn booster and flu vaccine and I could get them together at a drop in clinic, I didn’t hesitate.
“I felt it was really important to get vaccinated to protect my baby as well as myself and the whole experience of getting the vaccines was a good one.”
The pilot started in September and will run until 31 March 2023. If it's successful, the NHS will continue the clinics in the region.
Tricia Spedding, Head of Public Health for NHS England - North West said: “This pilot is really exciting, and I’m glad that the women of the North West are the first to experience the convenience of it. Mums-to-be can often end up attending so many appointments during their pregnancy, so being able to get all three vaccines at one appointment, at a time to suit you, whilst attending the antenatal clinic is a great way to make things easier.
“The pharmacists will be able to deliver any combination of the three vaccines, and your midwife is there to advise you on the benefits of them. Flu, whooping cough and Covid-19 are unpleasant in any case, but can be dangerous for pregnant women and their babies, so having the vaccines as soon as possible is so important.”
The maternal vaccination pilot will be running across the autumn and winter in NHS trusts across Cheshire, Merseyside, Lancashire and South Cumbria. There are currently six clinics running the pilot, with a further five to start in the coming weeks.
Talk to your midwife to see when the pharmacist will be visiting your local antenatal clinic, advises the NHS.
Hospitals already running the pilot:
- East Cheshire NHS Trust, Macclesfield Hospital – Tuesdays and Wednesdays
- Liverpool Women’s Hospital NHS FT, Liverpool – Mondays and Tuesdays
- East Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Royal Blackburn Hospital – Mondays and Fridays
- East Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Burnley General Hospital – Wednesdays and Thursdays
- Warrington and Halton Hospitals NHS FT, Warrington Hospital – Mondays and Fridays
- Countess of Chester Hospitals NHS FT, Chester – Mondays and Fridays
Hospitals starting the pilot in the coming weeks:
- University of Morecambe Bay NHS FT (Kendal and Barrow sites)
- Blackpool Teaching Hospital NHS FT
- Southport and Ormskirk Hospitals NHS Trust
- St Helens and Knowsley Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
- Wirral University Teaching Hospital NHS FT
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