28 September 2012
Whooping Cough for Pregnant Women
RCGP comment on Department of Health decision to initiate a temporary vaccination programme to protect pregnant women against whooping cough
Dr Maureen Baker, RCGP Health Protection Lead said:
"We welcome the announcement by the Department of Health today to vaccinate all pregnant women against whooping cough, particularly in light of the recent deaths of babies.
"Whooping cough is a highly infectious bacterial disease which spreads when a person with the infection coughs and sheds the bacteria which is then inhaled by another person.
"The vaccine will be offered to pregnant women from week 28 of their pregnancy during routine antenatal appointments with a GP, midwife or nurse.
"The vaccine is already well-stocked in GP surgeries as part of the childhood vaccination programme."
Ends
Further Information
RCGP Press office - 020 3188 7574/7575/7576
Out of hours: 0203 188 7659
press@rcgp.org.uk
Notes:
The Royal College of General Practitioners is a network of more than 46,000 family doctors working to improve care for patients. We work to encourage and maintain the highest standards of general medical practice and act as the voice of GPs on education, training, research and clinical standards.