Pregnant women key priority group for swine flu jab after deaths
By Sanjay Tanday, 16 October 2009
Pregnant women are being urged to come forward for the swine flu jab following the deaths of two pregnant women in the past week, including a 17-year old from the Scottish Borders.
Six pregnant women have died from swine flu
Of the 106 confirmed deaths from swine flu in the UK, a total of six have been in pregnant women.
Speaking at a briefing in central London yesterday Professor David Salisbury, DoH director for vaccination, said that pregnant women were particularly at risk from seasonal and swine flu and should be treated as a key priority group.
Professor Salisbury dismissed claims that the Pandemrix vaccine should not be used in pregnant women because it contains an adjuvant which has not been tested in this population group.
'We do not have any doubts about vaccinating pregnant women with inactive vaccines.
'Just one dose of Pandemrix is required for pregnant women, which is why we recommend this vaccine for them.
'Celvapan requires two doses over the space of three weeks which puts pregnant women at a disadvantage.'
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