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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to turn down the jab?

129 replies

Twistiesandshout · 17/02/2021 09:57

Another Covid one sorry but am genuinely unsure. I am breastfeeding 10 month old dd. I have the option of booking my jab. Not ready to stop feeding yet due to many reasons.

Official guidance changed in late Jan to say breastfeeding mums can have the jab.

What would you do?
YABU - to turn down jab
YANBU - to turn down jab

OP posts:
Racoonworld · 17/02/2021 10:03

The guidance wouldn’t have been changed if it wasn’t safe, they are very cautious with pregnancy and babies. Have the jab.

TheQueef · 17/02/2021 10:04

What concern do you have?

AlrightTreacle · 17/02/2021 10:06

Depends on your personal circumstances and health; why are you eligible for a jab now? Because of a health condition or is it because you are a healthcare worker?

I'd have a read on the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists website, though it still isn't clear cut on whether to have it when you're breastfeeding, because they don't have research on it yet.
www.rcog.org.uk/en/guidelines-research-services/coronavirus-covid-19-pregnancy-and-womens-health/covid-19-vaccines-and-pregnancy/covid-19-vaccines-pregnancy-and-breastfeeding/

NewScone · 17/02/2021 10:06

They've said it's safe. They are very careful with things like that. Last thing they would want would be load of compensation claims in the future

NewScone · 17/02/2021 10:07

Though it's up to you. No one can force you to have it and someone else will have it if you don't.

Palava57 · 17/02/2021 10:08

I think you need to seek more expert advice than the anonymous opinions of MN! If possible talk to your GP and read authoritative sources (NB they should at least have an institutional affiliation & preferably be peer reviewed too)
I am much older than you & have just been given an appt which I’m very pleased about😊
I don’t recall if I had any jabs when I was breastfeeding (too long ago!) but I wouldn’t have thought about turning it down as it wasn’t portrayed as a risk factor 30 years ago...

Saz12 · 17/02/2021 10:08

I’d have it.

I don’t believe you’ll get advice or comments from strangers on the internet that’s more reliable than that given by vaccine regulators. Ah, the irony of that comment!!

Original poster
Twistiesandshout · 17/02/2021 10:15

@TheQueef

What concern do you have?
The unproven effect on dd. The unknown really.
OP posts:
MyLittleOrangutan · 17/02/2021 10:16

It's really up to you, YANBU whatever decision you make. I wouldn't, but that's my choice.

CrocodileFondue · 17/02/2021 10:17

I've been invited and I'm quite apprehensive now. I guess I'll have to though if the schools are opening soon, kids are not great at social distancing and they'd be stuffed if I end up in hospital or dead. Sad

Original poster
Twistiesandshout · 17/02/2021 10:17

Totally agree about getting expert advice, and have spoken to consultant friend of mine who said she wouldn't have the jab. Also spoken to my doctors who said the guidance is that I should have the jab.

Just wanted to canvass opinions really. Would probably usually bring up at coffee mornings with friends or in person walking chats with friends but obviously that's not happening these days.

OP posts:
SoupDragon · 17/02/2021 10:18

The unproven effect on dd. The unknown really.

What would the effects of you having Covid be on your DD?

Original poster
Twistiesandshout · 17/02/2021 10:20

[quote AlrightTreacle]Depends on your personal circumstances and health; why are you eligible for a jab now? Because of a health condition or is it because you are a healthcare worker?

I'd have a read on the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists website, though it still isn't clear cut on whether to have it when you're breastfeeding, because they don't have research on it yet.
www.rcog.org.uk/en/guidelines-research-services/coronavirus-covid-19-pregnancy-and-womens-health/covid-19-vaccines-and-pregnancy/covid-19-vaccines-pregnancy-and-breastfeeding/[/quote]
thanks Alright. I am leaning towards turning it down. I seem to have been identified because I have lifelong medical condition (however I didn't think it was one of the at risk ones).

OP posts:
Original poster
Twistiesandshout · 17/02/2021 10:21

Soup, I would hope that I would have mild version of Covid and fully recover. But I guess there is the small possibility that I wouldn't. It's about weighing up the risks isn't it, and I just don't think we have enough information on all of it :(

OP posts:
SparklingLime · 17/02/2021 10:24

What reasons did your consultant friend give?

PresentingPercy · 17/02/2021 10:25

Well the "known" is that people from die from covid so your baby could be without a mum. You cannot have all the information. The jab is relatively new but you are more likely to be protected from death and from possibly spreading the disease. So you should have it. It is the socially right thing to do and the more people that have it, the better the cover is. So it is selfish not to have it.

ellenpartridge · 17/02/2021 10:30

I'd be perfectly happy to have it while BF and intend to

PinkDaffodil2 · 17/02/2021 10:32

What are your concerns about the jab? I’m a doctor and was so happy when them they changed the Uk guidance to allow me to have it as there’s no plausible biological mechanism for it to adversely affect baby.
Have you thought what you will do if you get covid or have symptoms and are waiting for a test? Will you isolate from little one, feed with a mask, express, wean early? I don’t know what I’ll do / would have done if I have covid symptoms and and I hope I don’t have to make that decision. Our breastfeeding journey is going so well so far and I don’t want to jeopardise that but covid isn’t risk free for infants and I’d at least take steps to reduce the viral load / infecting dose.

Hangingtrousers · 17/02/2021 10:32

It's perfectly safe. And you may even give DD protection through your milk.
I have just finished bf but 100% would have had it whilst feeding.

BikeRunSki · 17/02/2021 10:38

@Twistiesandshout

Soup, I would hope that I would have mild version of Covid and fully recover. But I guess there is the small possibility that I wouldn't. It's about weighing up the risks isn't it, and I just don't think we have enough information on all of it :(
You don’t know how badly you’ll be affected though!! I imagine that everybody hopes for mild symptoms.
JumperooSue · 17/02/2021 11:10

I’m breastfeeding and was in a similar position, but I was going back to work in the hospital so I weighed up the pros and cons! I was advised when I arrived for my jab that I should stop feeding her for 48 hours but I didn’t, no I’ll effects so far. Their is studies to suggest they will actually acquire some immunity from the vaccination through your milk. For me the risk of not having it outweighed the risk of having it, I thought I wouldn’t be able to feed her if I’m on a ventilator it ITU with Covid anyway so I had the jab as have a lot of my breastfeeding colleagues

JumperooSue · 17/02/2021 11:11

God trying to type that one handed, apologies for the typos! There are studies*

AllyBama · 17/02/2021 11:11

At the moment you’re in far far more danger of dying from covid or covid related side effects (prolonged ICU stay etc) than causing any damage to your DD. Pretty simple really.

PiratePetespajamas · 17/02/2021 11:20

Hello op, I’m in a very similar position - lifelong medical condition but not one that makes me officially vulnerable. I have been offered the jab and am breastfeeding a toddler. Don’t know what to do.

One thing I did do is read up on other vaccines. Only smallpox has ever been identified as a vaccine that pregnant and breastfeeding women shouldn’t have: they appeared to be able to pass on the disease, because the vaccine was live. Other live vaccines - polio, yellow fever - don’t seem to be contraindicated jn pregnant and breastfeeding women.

Neither vaccine we are currently being offered is live; or rather, there are live elements to the AZ vaccine but the Covid part is NOT live (the live bit is the adenovirus, which has previously been used unproblematically in vaccinating pregnant women against Ebola). So the usual reason for contraindicating a vaccine for pregnant or breastfeeding women is not some nebulous future “effect” but risk of contracting the disease you are trying to protect against. And this doesn’t seem to be a risk here.

I found this somewhat reassuring. I have still not made up my mind but in some ways I am not sure what it is I’m worried about now - it doesn’t seem logical to be overly concerned, given the above information.

I don’t know if that helps!!

Sash887 · 17/02/2021 11:41

I had the jab Saturday and my baby is 3 weeks old and is breastfed. I chose to have the jab after speaking to my health visitor, doctor and midwife. I made the decision to have it and continue breastfeeding as it could prevent my baby from getting covid from the antibodies I generate from having the vaccine. It is personal choice but the benefits definitely outweighed the unknown for me. I also spoke to the person who vaccinated me. Everyone is different you just have to speak to as many medical professionals and see how you feel about it after that x

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