Pregnancy vaccines

Vaccines recommended in pregnancy: What, why, and when

Whooping cough (Pertussis) vaccine What it protects against: Pertussis – a bacterial infection that causes violent coughing, pneumonia, brain damage, and even death in young babies. The vaccine offered is combined with diphtheria and tetanus (e.g., ADACEL or Boostrix IPV). Why it’s important: Babies don’t receive their first pertussis jab until 8 weeks old. Maternal…

ME

What is ME or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome?

Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME), also known as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), is a complex, long-term condition that significantly impacts many aspects of life. In the UK alone, approximately 390,000 people live with ME/CFS, including around 25% who are severely affected – often housebound or unable to work. The NHS, NICE, government agencies, and patient advocates increasingly…

Healthy habits

How small healthy habits can change your life

In today’s fast-paced world, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the pressure to overhaul your lifestyle for better health. But what if you didn’t need to make drastic changes to see a difference? What if small, manageable habits – practised daily – could lead to profound and lasting improvements in your physical and mental wellbeing?…

Family-friendly summer meal ideas

Meal Planning for the Summer Holidays

Summer holidays are a wonderful time for families to relax, explore, and spend quality time together, but summer meal planning for families isn’t always straightforward. With the school canteen closed, many parents face the added pressure of preparing three meals a day (plus snacks!) for several weeks. For families on a tight budget, healthy summer…

MMR vaccine

Why is the MMR vaccine so important?

The MMR vaccine – protecting against measles, mumps, and rubella – is one of the true public health triumphs of the modern era. Here, we explore its history, the impact of these diseases, vital UK statistics, and why you should trust and act on vaccination.   Before the vaccine Measles in the UK Pre-1968 (before…