Pharmacy vaccination teams are going into antenatal clinics across the North West as part of a pilot scheme to make it easier for pregnant women to get the vaccinations needed to keep them and their babies safe.

The Maternal Flu and Pertussis Pharmacy scheme is being trialled by NHS England – North West and involves sending vaccine provider Broadway Pharmacy into NHS Trusts to run drop-in vaccine clinics alongside antenatal services. The aim is to improve uptake rates of the flu, pertussis (whooping cough) and COVID-19 vaccines in pregnancy, and improve the health of expectant mums and new-borns.

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

Across the North West, there has been a significant drop in the number of pregnant women taking up the offer of the vaccinations that protect them from flu and whooping cough, in the two years since the pandemic started.

In some areas of the North West, the numbers of women receiving the pertussis vaccine in pregnancy has fallen by up to 25% – which translates to thousands of unprotected women and babies.

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 North West is worrying. Data shows that overall uptake among pregnant women has fallen by more than 11% since 2019.

The pilot maternity vaccination scheme aims to make getting maternal vaccines convenient for expectant mums. 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 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. Studies of 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 still birth. Vaccination remains the best way to protect mums-to-be and babies from COVID-19.

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 lunchbreak 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, and if successful NHS England – North West intends to continue the project 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.

Ends

Trusts 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

Trusts 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

For further information and to access more photos, please call North West media enquiries: 07736 484 533 or email england.nwmedia@nhs.net