Measures to allay swine flu fears

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The Department of Health clarified its advice on how expectant mothers should protect themselves against the illness following a series of apparently mixed messages.

It posted a new document, containing previously issued advice focused on swine flu and pregnancy, to a prominent position on its website.

Concerns were heightened after a woman with swine flu died last week shortly after giving birth prematurely. The 39-year-old woman, who died in Whipps Cross Hospital, was named by her brother as Ruptara Miah.

The total number of deaths linked to swine flu now stands at 29 in the UK.

Although experts said the virus was mild in the majority of cases, NHS advice stated that pregnant women were more susceptible to infections.

Public health minister Gillian Merron told the BBC: "The vaccine will be available and pregnant women are in the groups that we are looking to make the highest priority so indeed we are looking to protect women still further."

However, vaccinations are not usually recommended in pregnancy, according to the Royal College of Midwives.

Louise Silverton, deputy general secretary of the RCM, told the BBC: "With respect to inoculations, the decisions have not yet been made by the Government as to which group of people will be first to receive vaccinations. However we do not tend to vaccinate pregnant women against anything whilst they are pregnant because it does alter their body systems."

A spokeswoman for the Department of Health said no decisions had yet been made on exactly who would be vaccinated. "The issue will be looked at very closely around the licensing process and to make sure it can be made as widely available as possible," she said.