COUNTY Durham mum, Sarah Lister, is supporting this year’s regional flu vaccination campaign by urging pregnant women to protect their babies and themselves this winter.

Sarah, 27, who lives with partner Simon in Newton Aycliffe, was five months pregnant when she had her flu jab last year. She is now the proud mum of a healthy seven-month-old daughter called Mary Elizabeth.

“I knew being pregnant meant I was more vulnerable to flu and wanted to do the right thing to protect myself and Mary,” said Sarah.

“Getting the flu jab was really easy. I contacted my local GP practice to make an appointment and was seen very quickly as they had put on extra flu clinics.

“After the jab I felt absolutely fine and had no side effects at all. I was reassured to think that both Mary and I were fully protected against flu.

“I was really surprised to hear that the take up of the flu jab amongst pregnant women is really low.

“For me, it was an easy decision. I wanted to protect my unborn baby and myself as flu can be a nasty virus that can have serious complications.

“I would urge anyone who is pregnant to get in touch with their GP practice and make an appointment as soon as they can. The flu jab is quick, safe and free and will protect you and your baby throughout winter.”

Sarah and Mary joined London 2012 Team GB Paralympic team captain and three times gold medal winner, Stephen Miller, and the North- East NHS Flu Safe Squad to launch this year’s flu vaccination awareness campaign at Newcastle’s Quayside last week.

As part of the campaign, the NHS Flu Safe Squad took to the streets of the region to spread the message about the annual free flu jab which could save the lives of more than 800,000 North-Easterners who are at serious risk from flu this winter.

During the winter of 2010/11 more than 160 people in the region – including ten pregnant women – required intensive care treatment for flu.

Flu is unpredictable so it’s important that all of those who could be at risk of serious illness if they catch it are protected by the free flu jab.

The NHS in England has launched a new Flu Safe campaign to remind people at risk that they should get a flu jab. Flu Safe is a national message to highlight the importance of getting the jab, and features facts about flu to address some of the public’s most common concerns.

The Flu Safe Squad was out and about during October, giving out information and answering questions about the free flu vaccine.

The vaccine is available now from GP surgeries and is free on the NHS to anyone who is eligible. It aims to protect those most at risk, including pregnant women and their unborn babies, children and adults with long-term health problems, anyone over the age of 65 and carers of those in at-risk groups.

All those at risk are being urged by the NHS to get the vaccine now, not to wait until there is flu outbreak this winter.

Dr Tricia Cresswell, deputy medical director at NHS North East, said: “Flu is not just a cold – it can be a really serious illness for some people.

It doesn’t just affect older people, either.

If you’re pregnant, have lowered immunity or a long-term health condition such as diabetes, a chest or heart complaint, or severe asthma, you should also get a free flu jab from your GP to ensure you’re flu safe.

The flu jab is safe and it can’t give you flu. It is particularly important that children with serious underlying conditions get the flu jab as they are at higher risk of complications from flu.”

Frontline health and social care staff are also encouraged to get a jab to protect themselves and those around them.

The flu vaccine changes every year to fight the latest strains of flu, so even if you had a jab last winter you need another one this year to stay flu safe. The jab doesn’t contain the ‘live’ virus so it cannot give you flu.

Contact your GP to arrange an appointment to get your jab. It’s quick, safe and free for those at risk from the virus.

For more information speak to your GP or local pharmacist, or log on to www.nhs.uk/flu