A touch of sparkle, along with important vaccination advice, will be offered to Walsall mums-to-be when some special visitors fly into the Manor Hospital.
Flu Fairies will be landing at 9am tomorrow (Friday 1 December) and again on Friday 15 December, staying in the hospital’s Antenatal Clinic until 3pm, offering chats and creative activities.
They will be talking to mums-to-be about the importance and benefits of having the flu, whooping cough, and Covid-19 vaccinations. They are promoting all vaccinations for pregnant women as part of Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust’s work with Public Health Walsall, to spread the message about how important the vaccinations are to this high-risk group of people.
Flu fairies are a Public Health Walsall initiative and they have supported hundreds of parents-to-be by helping to dispel myths around vaccination and helping to equip them with accurate information to make an informed choice.
Donna Perkins, Antenatal Clinic Manager at Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust, said: “The Flu Fairies are a brilliant boost to our team at this time of year.
“We’re so pleased they are stopping off in Antenatal Clinic again to help us reassure parents-to-be around vaccinations and give them a little bit of “me time” too where they can create objects to take home.
“They really do help to put people at ease around vaccinations as we appreciate the concerns some expectant parents have. But pregnancy, whilst a wonderful time, does change the way our bodies deal with infections, and therefore receiving the vaccinations we offer does contribute to additional protection for our expectant parent, and for some vaccines protection for baby too.
“The Flu Fairies will be able to signpost anyone who wants the vaccines to receive them during their time in the Antenatal Clinic without the need to return or book an appointment.
Councillor Gary Flint, Portfolio Holder for Wellbeing, Leisure and Public Spaces at Walsall Council, said: “This winter, we want to ensure that mums-to-be and their babies are protected from viruses such as flu and COVID-19.
“These vaccines provide the best protection and reduce the risk of any complications, particularly if flu is caught at a later stage of pregnancy.
“The vaccines are safe during any stage of pregnancy and do not carry any risks for the mother or baby. Pregnant women are also eligible for other vaccinations such as the pertussis (whooping cough) vaccination.
“I encourage any mums-to-be to have a chat with the team about any questions they may have about getting these important vaccines and the benefits they provide in protecting them and their baby.”