1,149 of the 4,233 pregnant women (27%) registered with GPs in Barnet received a flu vaccination reports Adam Care, Data Reporter

The torso of a pregnant woman in a striped top with her hand on her bump — All pregnant women have been eligible for a free flu jab since 2010 – (Credit – Radar)

More pregnant women in Barnet received a vaccination against flu this winter, new figures suggest.

It comes as the number across England getting the vaccine rose for the first time since 2018.

The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists welcomed the news, but warned more must still be done to protect pregnant women and newborn babies.

New data released by the UK Health Security Agency shows 1,149 of the 4,233 pregnant women (27%) registered with GPs in Barnet received a flu vaccination during the most recent winter flu season.

This was an increase on the year before, when 25% got the jab.

All pregnant women have been eligible for a free flu jab since 2010.

Across England, the vaccination rate for all pregnant women had fallen every year since 2017-18, from a high of 47%.

But, this winter, it increased for the first time, rising from 32% to 35%.

The uptake rate among pregnant women considered clinically at risk was higher, at 45%.

Dr Ranee Thakar, president of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, said the figures were “very encouraging”.

“Pregnant women are at greater risk of severe illness from flu, which can have serious consequences for both mother and baby,” she said.

“Vaccination remains the most effective way to protect them.

“We must now build on this progress. Maternity and wider NHS staff are well-trusted by the public, so when the flu vaccination programme resumes, we encourage all health professionals to recommend and discuss vaccination with pregnant women at every available opportunity.”

At the start of flu season, the NHS in England aimed to achieve a 100% offer rate to those eligible, and to equal or improve last year’s vaccine uptake level.

Pregnant women achieved this target, but vaccine uptake decreased in other groups, including the over-65s and those clinically at risk.

Dr Suzanna McDonald, national lead for the influenza programme at UKHSA, said: “Flu during pregnancy can be extremely dangerous for both mother and her unborn baby, so it’s excellent that we are seeing positive signs that the uptake of the flu vaccine among pregnant women over the past winter is recovering after the negative impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.

“The vaccine is not only crucial to help protect mothers and babies against flu during pregnancy, but also gives newborns protection during their first vulnerable months of life.

“That’s why it is so important that all pregnant women come forward this autumn to get protection against flu, as well as ensuring they also receive their RSV and whooping cough vaccines at the right time during their pregnancy.”

No news is bad news

Independent news outlets like ours – reporting for the community without rich backers – are under threat of closure, turning British towns into news deserts.

The audiences they serve know less, understand less, and can do less.

If our coverage has helped you understand our community a little bit better, please consider supporting us with a monthly, yearly or one-off donation.

Choose the news. Don’t lose the news.

Monthly direct debit

Annual direct debit

£5 per month supporters get a digital copy of each month’s paper before anyone else, £10 per month supporters get a digital copy of each month’s paper before anyone else and a print copy posted to them each month. £50 annual supporters get a digital copy of each month's paper before anyone else. £84 annual supporters get a print copy by post and a digital copy of each month's before anyone else.