Boots Pharmacist, Bina Mehta’s advice on Vitamin D and the Flu jab during pregnancy
During Autumn/Winter, the NHS recommends that pregnant women need 10 micrograms of vitamin D each day and should consider taking a supplement containing this amount between September and March.
The NHS also recommends that all pregnant women have the flu vaccine, Boots is encouraging more pregnant women to have the flu vaccination at their local pharmacy this winter, by reassuring them of the health benefits for them and their baby. The NHS offers the flu vaccination for free to mums-to-be, which is widely available in pharmacies, including your local Boots store.
Boots Pharmacist, Bina Mehta, said: “During the autumn and winter months, pregnant women should take a daily supplement containing 10 micrograms of Vitamin D. All adults need vitamin D each day to help regulate the amount of calcium and phosphate in the body needed to keep bones, teeth and muscles healthy. Vitamin D also helps support a healthy immune system.”
“The body creates vitamin D from direct sunlight on the skin when outdoors. In the spring and summer, most people should be able to make all the vitamin D they need from sunlight, although some groups of people including those with dark skin and those who cover most of their skin should take a vitamin D supplement all year round.”
“In the autumn and winter months we do not make enough vitamin D from sunlight, so the government recommends that adults and children over four years should take daily vitamin D from October to March every year.”
“The NHS advises that all pregnant women have the flu jab as it helps protect both mother and baby from the virus. Studies have shown that it’s safe to have a flu jab during any stage of pregnancy, from the first few weeks up to the due date.
“Pregnant women are at higher risk of complications from flu at any stage of pregnancy, so it’s a good idea for them to get vaccinated as soon as possible, ideally now, in the autumn, before flu really starts circulating. Pregnant women are entitled to a free NHS flu jab, available at GP surgeries and community pharmacies like Boots.”
“It’s also safe for women who are breastfeeding to have a flu jab.”
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