What is swine flu?

Swine flu is a respiratory disease caused by a new strain of flu virus.

The seasonal flu vaccines that are already available don’t protect against swine flu, so a new flu vaccine has been developed.

How serious is swine flu?

For most people, swine flu is mild. It comes on quickly and generally lasts for around a week. It causes fever, tiredness, a cough and a sore throat. Other symptoms can include a headache, aching muscles, chills, sneezing, a runny nose, loss of appetite, vomiting and diarrhoea. Some people are more likely to become seriously ill with swine flu, including
pregnant women. This is why it is important to have the vaccine.

Why are pregnant women being offered the vaccination first?

Pregnant women are considerably more likely to develop serious complications from swine flu. The World Health Organization states that up to 10% of all hospitalised patients with swine flu are women who are more than three months pregnant.

The risk of complications (including miscarriage and premature labour) is highest during the later stages of pregnancy. Having the swine flu vaccine now could help you avoid catching swine flu and protect your baby.

Pregnant women are considerably morelikely to develop serious complications and be hospitalised with swine flu.

About the swine flu vaccine

Vaccines have been developed to protect against the virus that causes swine flu. There are two different brands of vaccine: Pandemrix and Celvapan. Most people given the Pandemrix vaccine will only need one dose. People who have the Celvapan vaccine will need two doses, at least three weeks apart.

Is it the same as the seasonal flu vaccination?

No. The swine flu vaccine is different from the seasonal flu vaccination that’s offered every year. The seasonal flu vaccine does not protect against swine flu. If you are usually advised by your GP to have the seasonal flu vaccination, you should have it as usual.

If you usually have the seasonal
flu vaccine, you should continue to have this as normal.

Can the swine flu vaccine be given at the same time as other vaccines?

Yes, the swine flu vaccine can be given at the same time as other vaccines,  including the seasonal flu vaccine. But if two vaccinations are being administered on the same day, they should be given in different arms.

There are two vaccines – which one will I be given?

We advise the use of Pandemrix for pregnant women, as only one dose is required. This means that you will be protected more quickly from the risk of flu than if you receive Celvapan, which requires two doses, at least three weeks apart

.

What should I do now?

You should be invited to go to a vaccination clinic or to make an appointment at your GP surgery. Not everyone in the country will get their vaccine at exactly the same time, so don’t worry if you don’t hear from your GP surgery straightaway. However, if after a few weeks you still haven’t heard anything, get in touch with your GP surgery.

If you are pregnant and think you have swine flu

• In England

  Contact your GP People who are not in higher risk groups should visit www.direct.gov.uk/swineflu or call the National Pandemic Flu Service: 0800 1 513 100 Textphone: 0800 1 513 200 (for people who are deaf or hard of hearing)

• In Scotland

  Contact your GP or NHS24: 08454 24 24 24 Textphone: 18001 08454
  24 24 24 (for people who are deaf or hard of hearing)

• In Wales

  Contact your GP or call NHS Direct Wales: 0845 46 47 Textphone:
  0845 606 46 47 (for people who are deaf or hard of hearing)

• In Northern Ireland

  Contact your GP or the Northern Ireland swine flu helpline: 0800
  0514 142 Textphone: 18001 0800 0514 142 (for people who are deaf or
  hard of hearing) Calling NHS24 should cost no more than the price
  of a local telephone call from a BT landline.

Calls to NHS Direct Wales cost a maximum of 2p per minute from most BT landlines. Calls to all other numbers here are free from landlines. Calls from mobiles and other networks may vary – please check with your provider.

For more information about swine flu and pregnancy Visit www.direct.gov.uk/swineflu