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Original poster

NHS worker ttc - COVID vaccine

49 replies

starlight147 · 03/12/2020 08:11

I don't work on the frontline, but talks are being had that NHS staff will receive the vaccine very soon. I'm in my first month of TTC and information I've read online advises pregnant woman or women planning a pregnancy not to have the vaccine (aswell as under 18's). I'm not comfortable at all telling colleagues I'm ttc (it's not a pleasant environment and colleagues aren't the nicest of people anyway) I wouldn't tell them I was pregnant if/when it happens until I actually have to) and I know that everyone I work with will be asking me if/why I'm not having it and think bad of me for not having it. I feel like I'm a bit of an awkward situation here. Any advice?

OP posts:
PurpleDaisies · 03/12/2020 08:15

Don’t have the vaccine. You need to have the awkward conversation with someone when it comes to your turn to be vaccinated.

I would just say you’ve got personal reasons that you don’t want to discuss and change the subject. If anyone pushes it, speak up your manager.

SkedaddIe · 03/12/2020 08:16

Tell someone in your management line. If you have a crappy manager then tell your managers manager and so on.

Don't discuss it openly, let people just assume you have it, and if you're asked directly don't lie but say it's a personal exemption that you've discussed with manager x and nothing more.

Hopefulbride18 · 03/12/2020 08:19

Hi OP, glad you've started this thread I'm also in the same panic this morning! I feel so guilty if I don't have the vaccine and worry about all the patients I might put at risk if I don't but I also really want to start TTC in Jan so I'm not sure what to do!

Bettybbbb · 03/12/2020 08:24

You don’t have to have it. Just state personal reasons if they do a form like they do for people who do not want the flu jab in the NHS.

OverTheRainbow88 · 03/12/2020 08:28

I would do what’s best for you and not vaccine. Can’t you am just make it sound like you’ve had it to colleagues but not have it... basically lie for now!

Original poster
starlight147 · 03/12/2020 08:30

Thank you for the helpful replies so far. It has been on my mind for a few days now, worrying about it. Luckily I don't have any contact with patients and I just really don't want to discuss our ttc plans with anyone else in real life especially colleagues at work and it adds an unnecessary amount of pressure. We've waited so long to try and now the time is finally here I'm not happy to put that all on hold now that we've actually started.

Manager herself is nice and I think she would be supportive but it’s still not a conversation I want to have, I know I may have to.

OP posts:
Original poster
starlight147 · 03/12/2020 08:32

@OverTheRainbow88

I would do what’s best for you and not vaccine. Can’t you am just make it sound like you’ve had it to colleagues but not have it... basically lie for now!
That could be an idea, although if they find out I haven't had it and lied about it I'm not sure if that could get me in trouble?
OP posts:
PurpleDaisies · 03/12/2020 08:39

That could be an idea, although if they find out I haven't had it and lied about it I'm not sure if that could get me in trouble?

The vaccine isn’t compulsory so having it not having had it won’t get you in trouble. If your line manager knows, it doesn’t really matter what you tell anyone else.

TheCatsPjammas · 03/12/2020 08:39

Something for you to consider, if you were to get pregnant immediately now, your child would be summer born, England school year starts September 1st - there are advantages to being ‘older’ in your year group!
If there were a chance you will receive vaccine in the next 2-3 months, I would prob wait and use that time to be the fittest you can be in prep for pregnancy. That way you won’t feel your life is on hold.

LemonTT · 03/12/2020 08:51

It’s not something anyone needs to be told. The Trust will record this in their occupational health records locally and then on a record to go the GP. Managers don’t need to know anything. Managers don’t have access to this information. The will just see % of staff vaccinated not who.

Yes, there will be extensive promotion and encouragement but just ignore it.

hopefulhalf · 03/12/2020 09:05

Just take a pregnancy test before having the vaccine ! Personally I would much rather TTC knowing I had been vaccinated, COVID whilst pregnant would not be fun. Why not protect yourself and your future baby if you had the choice ?

PurpleDaisies · 03/12/2020 09:07

@hopefulhalf

Just take a pregnancy test before having the vaccine ! Personally I would much rather TTC knowing I had been vaccinated, COVID whilst pregnant would not be fun. Why not protect yourself and your future baby if you had the choice ?
This is against the official medical advice being given to women TTC.

I am absolutely passionately pro vaccination but it isn’t appropriate for the op to have it in her personal circumstances.

Original poster
starlight147 · 03/12/2020 09:10

@hopefulhalf

Just take a pregnancy test before having the vaccine ! Personally I would much rather TTC knowing I had been vaccinated, COVID whilst pregnant would not be fun. Why not protect yourself and your future baby if you had the choice ?
Because the advice is not to have it for pregnant women, or women planning a pregnancy as the risks are still unknown. If it was recommended then obviously I would have it but that isn't the case here.
OP posts:
hopefulhalf · 03/12/2020 09:12

But she may not be pregnant yet, why would you delay having such an important vaccination on the off chance ? It just makes no sense to me, pregnancy is binary either you are ( in which case obviously don't get vaccinated) or your not- then do and delay pregnacy for 6 weeks. You might be ttc for months or even years would you delay vaccination for all that time ?

MRex · 03/12/2020 09:13

NHS can get vaccinated in the next few weeks. Due to the risks to you in late stage pregnancy if you do get covid, if it were me I'd just do a pregnancy test and if negative put the TTC on hold for a couple of months. Have vaccine, then back to TTC in late February.

PurpleDaisies · 03/12/2020 09:13

@hopefulhalf

But she may not be pregnant yet, why would you delay having such an important vaccination on the off chance ? It just makes no sense to me, pregnancy is binary either you are ( in which case obviously don't get vaccinated) or your not- then do and delay pregnacy for 6 weeks. You might be ttc for months or even years would you delay vaccination for all that time ?
Because that’s what the experts say.

What are your qualifications that you know better than them? You need to go and read about this before you make any more I’ll informed and unhelpful comments.

hopefulhalf · 03/12/2020 09:14

But "planning a pregnancy" is a totally meaningless phrase. Some couple live in this "almost pregnant" grey zone for months or years.

Meredithgrey1 · 03/12/2020 09:14

Just take a pregnancy test before having the vaccine !

I think (could be wrong) that the advice I read said not to get vaccinated if you might become pregnant in the three months after being vaccinated. So factoring in time from now to getting the vaccine, and time between the two doses, it could be coming up to 5 months before OP could start ttc again.

hopefulhalf · 03/12/2020 09:15

Please direct me to where it says it is contra-indicated for women " planning a pregnancy"

JemimaTiggywinkle · 03/12/2020 09:16

I don’t think anyone has to know if you’ve had it or not.

How does the flu vacc programme usually happen at your work?

I assume it’s arranged by occupational health rather than your line manager? So it would only be occupational health that know you’ve declined it.. and you don’t need to tell them why.

hopefulhalf · 03/12/2020 09:19

I'd delay pregnacy for 5 months tobe protected from COVID absolutely. Just think it means grandparents could help so much more in the early days, it means you wouldn't have to worry about catching it at antenatal appointments or on labour ward. Honestly it's a no-brainer for 99% of fertile women.

PurpleDaisies · 03/12/2020 09:21

@hopefulhalf

Please direct me to where it says it is contra-indicated for women " planning a pregnancy"
assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/940396/Priority_groups_for_coronavirus__COVID-19__vaccination_-_advice_from_the_JCVI__2_December_2020.pdf

Page 5

TeddyIsaHe · 03/12/2020 09:22

@hopefulhalf

Please direct me to where it says it is contra-indicated for women " planning a pregnancy"
The govt information leaflet specifically says that women should avoid getting pregnant for 2 months after having the vaccine, and to not have it if pregnant or breastfeeding.

assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/940566/Information_for_UK_recipients_on_Pfizer_BioNTech_COVID-19_vaccine.pdf

hopefulhalf · 03/12/2020 09:23

I assume you are referring to this section, it actually says ask your doctor for advice. Interestingly it covers breastfeeding too so if you don't get vaccinated now OP it may be a long time of being vunerable to COVID. It suggests waiting 2 months so it would mean delaying TTC until Febuary/March

NHS worker ttc - COVID vaccine
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