Target pregnant women for H1N1 vaccination

20 December 2010

Practices are being urged to check stocks of flu vaccine and proactively target pregnant women for vaccination, in an advisory from the RCGP.

Levels of seasonal flu are increasing across the UK with most due to the H1N1 (swine flu) strain and it appears to be having a disproportionate impact on pregnant women.

In a Dear Colleague letter, RCGP Health Protection Lead, Dr Maureen Baker, highlights data from the Health Protection Agency (HPA) indicating that to date some 17 people with flu across the UK are known to have died since the flu season began in October this year – at least half from a clinical 'at risk' group and 14 of whom having not received this year's seasonal vaccine. In addition, 17 people have this season received ECMO (Extra-Corporeal Membrane Oxygenation) treatment in a UK hospital following lung failure, including four pregnant women.

Dr Baker said:

"As you can see, there is major concern that many pregnant women have not yet had seasonal flu vaccine which can protect them, and their babies, from the serious consequences that flu can have.

"Some practices will have some remaining stocks of seasonal flu vaccine. Together with our colleagues in the GPC, we urge practices to check their stocks of flu vaccine and proactively target pregnant women to advise vaccination. Practices might also want to review the extent to which seasonal flu vaccination has been taken up within other high risk groups.

"If practices do not have any vaccine left in stock, they may wish to liaise with local colleagues, or the PCT, and see if there are opportunities to share vaccine while awaiting further supplies. We are assured that there are further supplies of vaccine in the system and that these can be ordered in the usual fashion."

Dr Baker goes on to say that antivirals can be prescribed by GPs only to patients with a flu-like illness who fall within one of the high-risk groups (these include pregnant women). The College and GPC are having ongoing discussions on whether these provisions can be amended during the current outbreak and will inform GPs straight away should this situation change.

Links:

• HPA: Pharmacological treatment and prophylaxis of influenza (Updated 17 December 2010)
• H1N1 winter flu: Urgent advice for providers of maternity services