COVID-19 vaccinations are now available for everyone during pregnancy at their antenatal clinics at Wirral University Teaching Hospital.

The new initiative was launched as part of the World Health Organisation's World Patient Safety Day on Friday, 17th September, the focus of which was "safe maternal and newborn care".

One of the first mums to have the jab at the antenatal clinic was Trinity Mellor, aged 20, from Ellesmere Port, who took the opportunity to have her second COVID-19 vaccine while having her 12-week scan.

Trinity said: "I got a message to say to come for my second jab and other appointments were really far away, so this makes it a lot easier.

"It's important as it gives you a chance to protect yourself and your baby. The clinic is somewhere you are going anyway so it makes it easier to get it."

Dr Nikki Stevenson, Medical Director and Deputy Chief Executive at Wirral University Teaching Hospital, who officially launched the new initiative, said: "We encourage all to have the COVID-19 vaccine during pregnancy. It is the best way for people to protect themselves and their unborn baby from COVID-19.

"We are delighted to have made it much easier to have their vaccination at the antenatal clinic and this will make it so much more convenient for them to have the jab. We also have experts at hand for if people have any queries about the vaccine.

"Patient safety is a priority for us and staff did a huge amount of work on World Patient Safety Day to raise awareness so we can ensure parents and babies are as safe as possible during pregnancy."

Many activities were held at Wirral Women and Children's Hospital at Arrowe Park Hospital to mark World Patient Safety Day, including advice stands, training sessions for staff and an online virtual tour of the maternity unit.

The Trust worked with partners including NHS Wirral Clinical Commissioning Group and Wirral Maternity Voices on awareness videos around patient safety. A further COVID-19 vaccine pop-up clinic was held at Secombe Children's Centre where mums could have their vaccine in a family friendly environment.