Any pregnant HCPs who've has the vaccine?

[Duckyneedsaclean]

If you have, can you tell me how? I'm stuck in a sort of twilight zone! No one seems to know how to go about it. Apparently I need a prescription, as pregnant women aren't covered under the National protocol (although advised they can have it if in a high risk role) but there's no prescriber at the vaccine centre near me.

I've spoken to a pharmacy locally that does covid vaccines, but they said they wouldn't give it even if my gp gave me a prescription.

Any insight??

If I book at a hospital vaccination centre would I have more luck? I want to be fairly sure as the nearest one is a bit of a drive.

Bump

Hi Op,
I’ve booked in via work after delaying for a while to make my mind up, but am a HCP and still going to see patients +28 weeks (although not ward based). Meant to be getting it on site on Tuesday, but, am half expecting to be turned away once they see bump despite writing “pregnant” on form. Will let you know how I get on 🤞

@MissingCoffeeandWine thank you! Please do let me know. Are you going to a hospital site for it?

Half tempted to book and not mention pregnancy, but would be a bit obvious by the second dose

I've checked the Green Book for the current advice (obviously things do change as more people are vaccinated and information comes in) which is this;

"JCVI has advised that vaccination in pregnancy should be considered, however, where the risk of exposure to SARS-CoV-2 infection is high and cannot be avoided, or where the woman has underlying conditions that put them at very high risk of serious complications of COVID-19.
In these circumstances, clinicians should discuss the risks and benefits of vaccination with the woman, who should be told about the absence of safety data for the vaccine in pregnancy."

So if you have any issues you should ask the vaccinators to check their GDP for the recommendations in pregnancy. They could quibble how high risk your job is ie nurse on ITU/in a covid ward as opposed to just out in the community with access to proper PPE.

Hope that helps.

This more complete section is probably more helpful.

"Although the available data do not indicate any harm to pregnancy, there is insufficient evidence to recommend routine use of COVID-19 vaccines during pregnancy. Routine questioning about last menstrual period and/or pregnancy testing is not required before offering the vaccine.

JCVI has advised that vaccination in pregnancy should be considered, however, where the risk of exposure to SARS-CoV-2 infection is high and cannot be avoided, or where the woman has underlying conditions that put them at very high risk of serious complications of COVID-19.
In these circumstances, clinicians should discuss the risks and benefits of vaccination with the woman, who should be told about the absence of safety data for the vaccine in pregnancy.

If a woman finds out she is pregnant after she has started a course of vaccine, she may complete vaccination during pregnancy if she is considered at high risk. Alternatively, vaccination should be offered as soon as possible after pregnancy."

Thanks @ImAVaccinator I'm actually a vaccinator too!

The problem I'm running up against is that the national protocol says pregnant women aren't covered under it so need a PSD or prescription. There's no doctor or nurse prescriber at my mass vaccination centre, but I do think the sheer volume of citizens seen makes it high risk for exposure.

Well you didn't really need my intervention there then did you . Good job I'm not a bloke or I'd be accused of mansplaining.

I can see where you are coming from, I was anxious before we got our vaccines as the volume and proximity of so many people seemed very risky, especially people working in care homes where they were negative but their colleagues positive. Do you have visors (not sure of different area protocols)? Mine is my little comfort blanket.

The only similar think I've had was a nurse who was breastfeeding and after talking it through with a colleague we agreed that as she'd educated herself prior to presenting at the centre we would go ahead. I thought the most recent PGD went with as long as you know the pros and cons then if you were at serious risk it was ok. I suppose it's who decides what the risk levels are. I wonder if they'd be more likely to re-deploy you than vaccinate at this stage.

Updating but...was vaccinated on hospital site this am. I’m visibly pregnant - 27 weeks - so did have a conversation about risk analysis and the lack of evidence, but explained that I am remaining patient facing, so although no longer ward based, would like to choose to have it.

I thought I’d have difficulty as am MH rather than physical health and in the early days was told I couldn’t/shouldn’t be vaccinated. But all was polite and lovely.

They said the advice was to signpost to risk but that newest guidelines enabled them to do it. Jabbed and out in under 15 mins.

Oh brilliant @MissingCoffeeandWine!

I emailed GP today about it all, and they called back and booked me in at a local GP surgery in Thursday! So fingers crossed everything is as simple for me.

Just to update - had mine today, no problems 💉

Yippee. Hope you’re not feeling too “off” today x