Riley’s mum begs “please, if you are an antenatal health care provider, inform your patients about the importance of maternal immunisation.”

Catherine Hughes son Riley passed away March 2015 from whooping cough at just 32 days old. She is still begging the health care providers to inform their patients about the importance of maternal immunisation.

Catherine has shared her frustration at the health care providers who fail to mention vaccinations that should be offered during pregnancy. She posted the below on the Light for Riley Facebook page.

“Today I am 28 weeks pregnant – the perfect time to have the whooping cough vaccination that I have so passionately advocated for. The vaccination that, had I been offered it in my last pregnancy, means my child probably would have survived.

Today I am 28 weeks pregnant – and still waiting for my antenatal health care providers to mention vaccination. To tell me I should have an influenza vaccine, to decrease the risk of severe pregnancy complications, stillbirth and premature birth. To mention the importance of getting vaccinated against whooping cough, because it can kill newborn babies as it did my last. There has been not one word, and not one brochure. Just like last time.

Today I am 28 weeks pregnant – and will be volunteering in Sydney at the Pregnancy, Babies & Children’s expo, with a team of fantastic experts, educating parents about the importance of immunisation. But is it the parents who need educating… or the healthcare providers?

Today, I am 28 weeks pregnant and hormonal and clearly needed to vent. But please, if you are an antenatal health care provider, inform your patients about the importance of maternal immunisation. It’s a method of prevention that can and does save lives. It shouldn’t be left to grieving families to stand up and be strong and raise awareness. It all starts with you. (And THANK YOU to the huge number who do the right thing! We need more of you!).

x Riley’s Mum”

Her post has received over 2.7K reactions and over 330 shares.

Why do we have to fight so hard for something so important?

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