The maternity team at Hampshire Hospitals has beaten its target of administering pertussis vaccinations by a considerable margin, with more than 1120 given out in the first six months – more than double the anticipated figure.
The vaccination is given to pregnant women as protection against newborn whooping cough. It is administered at around the 20-week mark although expectant mothers can receive it up to birth.
Immunity from the pertussis vaccination passes to babies through the placenta, providing passive protection against whooping cough until they are eight weeks old, at which point newborns are routinely vaccinated against the potentially dangerous infection.
Speaking about the successful take up of the vaccine, Wendy Randall, Hampshire Hospitals’ director of midwifery, says: “As well as providing care, our community midwives work extremely hard at increasing understanding around protecting newborn health and the importance of vaccinations such as pertussis.
“Whooping cough is a highly infectious condition that has been rising in recent years. We know there is a lot for expectant mothers to consider but this vaccination – along with the flu jab – provides valuable protection and assistance in slowing infection rates.”
All pregnant women are also offered the RSV vaccination from 28 weeks of pregnancy. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) affects an estimated 90 per cent of children within their first two years of life. It accounts for 33,500 hospitalisations annually in children aged under 5 years old, causing severe breathing difficulties which can be fatal.
The RSV vaccination produces antibodies which pass across the placenta, providing babies with passive protection against RSV for the first six months of life, this has been shown to reduce the risk of severe infections by 70 per cent.
Says Wendy: “With RSV peaking over the winter season we would encourage all eligible women to attend your appointment and have the vaccination, and in doing so provide the best protection to your baby.”
