Message to pregnant women: it’s ‘not too late to vaccinate’
A webinar this week saw stakeholders come together to discuss the importance of pregnant mothers receiving free vaccinations against influenza.
AMA President Professor Steve Robson chaired a webinar this week on the importance of pregnant women protecting themselves and their babies from influenza with free vaccinations under the National Immunisation Program.
Influenza vaccination is recommended and funded under the National Immunisation Program for pregnant women at any stage of pregnancy.
However, estimates of vaccination coverage in this cohort indicate uptake could be improved. Influenza vaccination should be offered to all pregnant woman as part of routine, comprehensive, antenatal care.
The AMA partnered with the Department of Health, the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and the Australian College of Midwives to run the webinar.
The webinar heard about the educational tools and support that are available to help health professionals to confidently recommend maternal vaccination this influenza season.
