Plea after pregnant woman dies from swine flu

THE death of the first pregnant woman from swine flu has prompted the state’s chief medical officer to urge expectant mothers to get vaccinated against the virus.

The woman did not have an underlying illness but, because of her pregnancy, was in danger of developing serious complications from the swine flu, including pneumonia.

The Department of Health’s chief medical officer, Dr Tony Holohan, said the death of the pregnant woman underlined the need for expectant mothers to get the vaccine.