Pregnant women in Waltham Forest face the highest risk in London of miscarriage due to flu, it has emerged.

Waltham Forest Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) has issued the warning to expectant mothers after research showed just 28 per cent of pregnant women in the borough opted for the free vaccination last year, compared to the London average of 36 per cent. 

Catching flu during pregnancy results in a higher chance of miscarriage or stillbirths and can lead to pneumonia and other serious infections, premature births or babies with low birth weight.

GP Thaven Chetty, of Churchill Medical Practice in Churchill Terrace, Chingford, is encouraging women to get vaccinated.

He said: "It is safe to have during any stage of pregnancy and when breastfeeding. Having it while pregnant also passes some protection on to babies, which last for the first few months of their lives. 

"I would encourage everyone to be vaccinated against the flu,” says says Dr Chetty.

"Some people avoid it because there is a myth that it can give you the flu, however this is simply not true. The vaccine doesn’t contain any live viruses, so it cannot cause the flu."

He also warned that vaccinations from last year will no longer protect pregnant women, the elderly or those with serious medical conditions.  

The flu jab is available now at all GP surgeries and pharmacies.