Health chiefs encouraged as more than 3,000 pregnant Nottinghamshire women had flu jabs last winter

It comes as the number across England getting the vaccine rose for the first time since 2018.

The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) welcomed the news, but warned more must still be done to protect pregnant women and newborn babies.

New data released by the UK Health Security Agency (UKSHA) shows 3,218 of the 9,083 pregnant women (35 per cent) registered with GPs in Nottinghamshire received a flu vaccination during the most recent winter flu season.

This was in line with the year before.

All pregnant women have been eligible for a free flu jab since 2010.

Across England, the vaccination rate for all pregnant women had fallen every year since 2017-18, from a high of 47 per cent.

But, this winter, it increased for the first time, rising from 32 per cent to 35 per cent.

The uptake rate among pregnant women considered clinically at risk was higher, at 45 per cent.

Dr Ranee Thakar, RCOG president, said the figures were 'very encouraging'.

She continued: "Pregnant women are at greater risk of severe illness from flu, which can have serious consequences for both mother and baby.

"Vaccination remains the most effective way to protect them.

"We must now build on this progress.

"Maternity and wider NHS staff are well-trusted by the public, so when the flu vaccination programme resumes, we encourage all health professionals to recommend and discuss vaccination with pregnant women at every available opportunity."

At the start of flu season, the NHS in England aimed to achieve a 100 per cent offer rate to those eligible, and to equal or improve last year's vaccine uptake level.

Pregnant women achieved this target, but vaccine uptake decreased in other groups, including the over-65s and those clinically at risk.

Dr Suzanna McDonald, national lead for the influenza programme at UKHSA, said: "Flu during pregnancy can be extremely dangerous for both mother and her unborn baby, so it’s excellent that we are seeing positive signs that the uptake of the flu vaccine among pregnant women over the past winter is recovering after the negative impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.

"The vaccine is not only crucial to help protect mothers and babies against flu during pregnancy, but also gives newborns protection during their first vulnerable months of life.

"That’s why it is so important that all pregnant women come forward this autumn to get protection against flu, as well as ensuring they also receive their RSV and whooping cough vaccines at the right time during their pregnancy."