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RCM urges maternity staff to have flu vaccination

on 12 October 2020 RCM Maternity Services Covid-19 Flu Vaccination NHS Staff

Protect yourself and the people you care for says the Royal College of Midwives (RCM), as it urges all midwives and maternity support workers (MSW) to have a flu vaccination in a statement published today.

Clare Livingstone, Professional Policy Advisor at the RCM, said: “Taking care of others is in the DNA of midwives and MSWs. By getting a flu jab, not only will it protect the women, babies, and families that they care for, it will protect them too.”

With the COVID-19 pandemic still ongoing and the flu season approaching, this winter is set to be doubly challenging, underscoring even more the importance of getting vaccinated says the RCM. While supporting vaccination, it stresses that having the vaccination should be the choice of the midwife or MSW and staff should not be pressured into it by employers. The RCM also say that staff should have paid work time to go to a vaccination appointment.

“Being vaccinated against flu is also recommended to protect people at higher risk including pregnant women” said Clare Livingstone. “We encourage pregnant women to have the flu vaccination. It is safe and it will protect you and your baby from the infection. Speak to your midwife or GP if you have any questions or concerns” she added.

ENDS

To contact the RCM media office call 020 7312 3456 or email media@rcm.org.uk.

Notes to Editors

To view the RCM’s position paper on flu vaccination, go to https://www.rcm.org.uk/media/4354/flu-vaccination_4.pdf.

See also a joint statement on flu vaccination from the RCM and RCOG at https://www.rcm.org.uk/media-releases/2020/october/flu-vaccination-for-pregnant-women-essential-this-winter-say-professional-bodies/.  

Public Health England have a flu campaign page for Health and Social Care Workers, for more information visit  https://campaignresources.phe.gov.uk/resources/campaigns/92-health-and-social-care-workers-flu-immunisation-/resources .

The RCM is the only trade union and professional association dedicated to serving midwifery and the whole midwifery team. We provide workplace advice and support, professional and clinical guidance, and information, and learning opportunities with our broad range of events, conferences, and online resources. For more information visit the RCM website at https://www.rcm.org.uk/.

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