According to a major Australian study published in the Clinical Infections Diseases journal, expectant mums who have the winter flu jab cut their risk of stillbirth by half.
The University of Western Australia study looked at 58,000 births, and found that mums who were recently vaccinated against flu were 51% LESS likely to have a stillbirth than those who were unvaccinated.
Doctors believe it could be because flu actually increases the risk of stillbirth.
“Several findings in our study support an association between influenza infection and stillbirth. The observed rate of stillbirth was higher following periods of influenza virus circulation compared with periods prior to influenza season,” explained study author Annette Regan.
“These results may be useful for communicating the potential benefits of seasonal influenza vaccination to pregnant mothers and their providers.”
Commenting on the study to the Mail Online, Dr Richard Pebody, head of flu surveillance for Public Health England, said: "These study results are promising and point to the well-known fact that the flu vaccine provides both pregnant women and their new born babies with important protection. We encourage more research to be undertaken to corroborate the findings of this study."
"Public Health England recommends that pregnant women get the flu vaccination to protect themselves and their baby. Studies show that the flu vaccine is safe during any stage of pregnancy, from the first few weeks up to your expected due date."
