Pregnancy and vaccine passports - discrimination?

[Bluetable]

Surely any rules regarding proof of Covid vaccinations will be discrimination against pregnant women who, on the whole, are advised not to get the vaccine. Someone getting pregnant now wouldn't be able to be vaccinated for nearly a year! Are they to be subject to different rules from everyone else once everyone has been offered the vaccine? Surely there would need to be an exception? I wonder what the plan is in term of getting women vaccinated asap after birth...

I've wondered the same! Guess we aren't gonna be allowed to do anything fun with our families 🙃

There isn't any mop up plan that I am aware of and vaccines for the under 40's are being discussed less and less. I think they'll be declaring it over and done with before anyone pregnant gets a chance to book.

I agree it’s a bit rubbish but not sure what the alternative is and I don’t think it’s unreasonable. I doubt it will be a whole year - I expect we will know much sooner than 1 year from now which vaccines are best in pregnancy.
For international travel countries will set their own rules but there is precendent EY yellow fever vaccine is mandatory for some countries and not recommended in pregnancy. Lots of airlines won’t let you fly after x weeks, sooner if a multiple pregnancy.
Domestically I think you’ll be able to use a recent negative test as proof of immunity instead.

After birth you might be more comfortable getting your vaccine but they may not be offered to babies / newborns so you’ll still be restricted I expect in where baby can go with you.

I’m not sure but I would guess that there will be passport exemptions to people who genuinely can’t have the vaccine for medical reasons. Pregnant women would then actually be in a much better position, as they would be able to enter places that require a passport knowing they will be well protected by others having had the vaccination. If no such exemption is afforded then I agree that it would be discriminatory and unfair.

Is pregnancy a protected characteristic? I wouldn't have thought so given that it's temporary and - in the majority of cases - optional.

If not, then no it's not discriminatory in law I don't think.

Would you want to fly abroad whilst unvaccinated and pregnant?

Only pregnant for 9 months to be fair and towards the end of the pregnancy, would you want to or be allowed to fly anyway?

Just book a vaccine for after the birth.

They're saying they'll be including negative tests and having covid in the past 6 months which I think is fair enough.

They're discriminatory full stop.

More so against young people who cannot get the vaccine or for whom it is not licensed.

@Sushirolls

They're discriminatory full stop.

This, too. Utter bollocks.

I doubt it. There will be a mechanism in place for people who cannot medically have the vaccine.

Of course they aren't discriminatory. Does pregnancy also stop you from taking a coronavirus test?

The so-called vaccine passports are expected to show whether someone has received a vaccine, had a negative coronavirus test, or contracted and recovered from Covid-19 within the past six months.

I hope they consider those TTC. In the last year I've had a stillbirth and a miscarriage so I don't want the vaccine until we know more about it. I'm sure there will be some sort of thing done. I think today they said they would consider letting you have a covid test instead if you have to go somewhere.

The 'passport' will include negative tests and a positive test in the previous 6 months that would indicate you have a level of immunity, so not necessary to get a vaccine if you're unable to/don't want to.

Pregnancy is temporary so no don’t think it’s a big deal or discriminatory.

I’m more concerned about immunocompromised people and those unable to have it at all.

There’s a plan In place for people that can’t have the vaccine . Unless it changes I think you need a medical letter, 2 negative tests and to be aware that on aircraft you’ll be sat with people that have had it etc.. masks will be around for atleast a year so you’ll be wearing a mask etc. They won’t give you the vaccine while pregnant but as soon as you give birth you can have one.

Completely agree with@SoupDragon everyone can take a test.

Fwiw, pregnancy is a protected characteristic under the Equality Act 2010.

I'm 7 weeks and have been advised that I won't be offered the jab, which I would otherwise have taken. Have to say I'm feeling pretty worried about a summer shut at home. The testing alternative sounds promising.

Pregnancy/Maternity is indeed a protected characteristic under the Equality Act 2010.

This is my worry, but I have a feeling the stance on vaccinating pregnant women will change (whether or not that changes my stance though..) I have pregnant friends in the US who are being encouraged to take the vaccine and have done so.

I'm 12 weeks now and have just kind of accepted that I'll sadly have to miss out this summer. My biggest fear is them bringing the passport rule into wedding venues as that's my work (freelance) and if I can't go to weddings because I'm not vaccinated I'll lose all income this year

Pregnancy/Maternity is indeed a protected characteristic under the Equality Act 2010

It is, but it won't be relevant if the Government produce legislation saying that service providers must refuse service without a passport. Then you just have Art 14 of the Human Rights Act in conjunction with another right.

I don't get though if you're pregnant why you would want to go to things that require a passport? I'd temporarily avoid the risk myself.

It was said on the news this morning that there will be exemptions.

Absolutely and I would add children and yp into the same category. No one no-one should be coerced to do anything, especially a medical intervention