Mum-to-be given swine flu jab she’d asked NOT to have (From Bridport and Lyme Regis News)

Mum-to-be given swine flu jab she’d asked NOT to have

7:00am Friday 11th December 2009

AN INVESTIGATION is under way after a mother-to-be was given a swine flu jab that she had expressly said she did not want.

Annaleaze Wilkinson-Light, of Oakdale in Poole, had agreed to have a jab but did not want the usual single-dose Pandemrix vaccine because she was concerned that it includes a preservative containing a small amount of mercury.

Her own GP was not giving the alternative vaccine, which involves two doses three weeks apart, so she was sent to Boscombe and Springbourne Health Centre.

Miss Wilkinson-Light’s GP sent a letter to the health centre and she went there to have the jab last Saturday.

“I said my doctor had sent a letter, but reception couldn’t find it and said the doctor must have it,” she said. “I signed the forms and the doctor called me in.

“I asked if he had the letter from my GP. He said: ‘You don’t need a letter’. I told him I was 15 weeks pregnant. He assured me it was going to be fine and I got injected.

“Afterwards, I asked if I needed to book an appointment to come back in three weeks. He said: ‘You don’t need another injection’.”

Miss Wilkinson-Light claims the doctor told her the centre only gave the double-dose vaccine, Celvapan, to people who were allergic to eggs.

“He stood there and reassured me that Pandemrix was OK. I walked out, grabbed my daughter and partner and left. I was in absolute bits because I didn’t want it.

“My choice had been taken away from me because he didn’t read the letter. I thought it was so wrong and shouldn’t have happened.”

After contacting the health centre, Miss Wilkinson-Light says she had a verbal apology from the doctor.

“I felt really upset because I spent so long trying to decide whether to have the vaccination and there was so much to go through to get Celvapan,” she said.

“I wouldn’t have had the Pandemrix and I’m still worried because I’ve got it in my system. The life inside you is so special and you just want to protect it.”

Dr Adrian Dawson, director of public health for Bournemouth and Poole, said: “We are sorry that this incident has caused concern to Miss Wilkinson-Light.

“We are undertaking an investigation into the circumstances around this issue and will be contacting her shortly with the outcome of this.

“We want to reassure all pregnant women that the widely-used Pandemrix flu vaccine is safe for them, with the majority of pregnant women having had this vaccine.

“As only one dose is required, women are protected immediately, and do not have to wait to receive a second dose.

“We do encourage women to have the vaccine to prevent potential complications should they contract the swine flu virus.

“However, anyone with any concerns should contact their GP in the first instance.”