My midwife called me a 'sheep' for wanting to immunise my child

I read with interest the article yesterday saying that some parents are putting off or ditching plans to immunise their children after receiving discouraging information.

Most importantly the article notes that healthcare workers were identified as sources of 16 per cent of discouraging information. Since when do our healthcare workers discourage immunisation?

It reminded me of an experience I went through during my first pregnancy. I was around 20 weeks pregnant when, on medical advice, I received the flu jab. I mentioned this to my midwife - who was my lead maternity carer - at a routine appointment.

Her reaction startled me. She asked why I had done such a "silly thing" and said that by having the jab, I had potentially put my baby at risk.

I will never forget what she said next, "I suppose you're going to be a sheep like everyone else and get your child immunised too."

I was astonished. Instead of sticking around to argue my stance on vaccinations (I'm pro, by the way) I walked straight out, jumped into the car and rang my GP and the Immunisation Advisory Centre for reassurance. My husband had come along for the appointment - it was our first pregnancy after all - and he went back into reception to request a copy of my medical notes and make it clear that we would not be back.

I was angry and upset. I was halfway through my pregnancy and now I knew I had to find a new midwife. In the back of my mind I wondered whether I had, in fact, done the right thing but mostly I was shocked that someone with that level of medical authority would ever advise against immunisation. It's easy to dismiss online crusaders, most of whom revert to the "if you did as much research into vaccinating as I did, you would understand" argument. But hearing this from someone who was in charge of looking after me and my daughter's health was startling.

At the time of my first pregnancy I was working as a health reporter - someone whose job relied on doing extensive research into medical topics. I knew how to tell the difference between credible information and scaremongering.

My experience happened back in 2010, but it seems the issue of healthcare practitioners, particularly midwives, discouraging immunisations is becoming far more widespread.

Earlier this year it was reported that complaints were made where midwives have tried to dissuade women from having vaccines, to the extent where pregnant women were given anti-immunisation material at antenatal classes.

For anyone sitting on the fence on the topic of vaccinations, this type of practice is very persuasive. I'm usually all for parents raising their children as they see fit, and making decisions tailored to their own family. But not when it comes to immunising. It is socially irresponsible not to immunise. There are babies who are immunocompromised and who cannot be vaccinated - these children are at a huge risk if diseases are not contained. And we often see outbreaks of diseases that we really should have eradicated by now - whooping cough, for example.

It must be extremely distressing for parents of immunocompromised kids when these viruses start doing the rounds.

Babies should be immunised, on time, and our health practitioners should actively encourage this.