NHS worker ttc - COVID vaccine

[starlight147]

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?

Look at my link to the JCVI priority groups.

That clear enough for you?

I'm a pregnant nhs worker. If a vaccine had been on the horizon before I was pregnant I would have put off ttc until I was vaccinated. Ill now not be able to be vaccinated until after mat leave and who knows what the breast feeding advice will be then. I also would be concerned that as you are not patient facing you won't be granted permission to work from home after 28 weeks so having the vaccine before getting pregnant would take that worry away. Either way it's up to you. I know how desperate I was to get pregnant and 2 months seems like forever to put it on hold but to give you protection that could last your full pregnancy and beyond for me would be worth it.

Honestly I would take a pregnancy test then start using contraception until I was immunised and if I had a negative pregnancy test even if I possibly pre-implantation I'd take the vaccine. (I am a HCP btw) but OP's decision

You say you’re not front line, have you checked the eligibility criteria? Personally I’d put off TTC if you are as pregnant women are in the at risk group and it will help protect your newborn

Personally I would put off TTC for a few months to have the vaccine. The leaflet apparently cautiously suggests avoiding pregnancy for 2 months after (this is normal with vaccines. I personally would want to avoid the risk of covid in pregnancy. Remember the restrictions will start to ease later in the year, you would really be putting yourself at risk by deliberately continuing to TTC when the vaccine is going to be available to you in the next few weeks.

However if you insist on not having the vaccine (which is absolutely your choice) then no one will know. You will be going to a mass vaccination site, not getting it in the middle of your ward! If there is any chat, just avoid answering or answer vaguely. You of course don't have to tell anyone you are TTC. If you are not taking a short break from TTC to get the vaccine, maybe you have reservations about it? In which case be honest and say that is your reason for not having it.

@Hopefulbride18

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!

Sorry I missed your post earlier, glad it's not just me! It's all well and good people saying oh just wait another few months but it's not then that's in this situation snd they don't know the personal circumstances so it's very easy for them to say. I wonder if they would say that to all people ttc, as a load of women won't be top of the list to have it, would they tell them not to conceive at all for another god knows how long?

I don't know why a certain poster has chose to repeat themselves over and over, rather strongly on this thread. I chose to ignore for a reason. Have your opinion, but learn where to draw a line.

Professor Van Tam said this morning on BBC breakfast that it isn't to be offered to those who are pregnant. No-one on the Pfizer/Biontech trial was pregnant when the trial started although some did go on to become pregnant whilst on the trial.

I presume it will be a question that is asked when going to have the vaccine.

It if you’re entitled as an nhs member of staff (which I’m not sure is the case if you’re not patient facing) then you are top of the pile to be vaccinated. If you’re about to have some sort of treatment which may induce infertility or similar yes of course don’t put off ttc. However, to wait a couple of months to provide protection to yourself and the baby would be a popular option with many. If you don’t want to nobody will know- you’ll be given it by appointment probably with a crowd of other people, the staff won’t all be getting it at the same time. All medical information should be confidential so won’t go via your line manager

I am guessing that you may just be able to swerve the issue and imply that you’ve been.

I work directly with patients every day and wont be having the vaccine as I am also TTC. Will just tell anyone who needs to know that it is due to personal and private medical reasons. I wont be elaborating further than that.

Ps I wont be delaying TTC as I am 35 and have been trying for around a year now and have already had a MC this year

@Meredithgrey1

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.

I may be wrong but I thought the three months was to allow for the booster dose after one month and then two clear months before TTC? If it was me, I would get the vaccine asap and delay TTC. I guess it depends on personal circumstances regarding timings getting pregnant but as you can't predict how long TTC will take I would rather be vaccinated and not have to worry about getting covid whilst pregnant, especially if you work in a hospital.

@starlight147 I think we have to wait and see if we are likely to be in the first rounds this month or next then make a decision? I just know how slowly things can move in the NHS at times and I worry I'd still be sat around in April waiting for my vaccine!

@gypsywater I think that makes complete sense, I'd do the same in your position! Good luck!

Op of course you don't have to take a short break from TTC if you don't want to! But myself and others are simply pointing out that you do have a choice and that it needs serious thought given your job and the risk to your pregnancy. It is great you have options. You mention other women TTC but they don't have the choice if they are bottom of the list for a vaccine so of course that is different. You do have a choice, which is wonderful. I am very much a supporter of personal choice when it comes to vaccination, so if you choose not to be vaccinated, that is ok, so long as you fully understand the risks to you and your (future) baby of covid (which to be honest, we still don't fully understand). Good luck with TTC, I hope it won't be long for you

There is also no evidence on the effect the vaccine will have on fertility as yet. I am also pro-vaccine but I do think for some people (including myself) that struggle when TTC or already have issues in their way (genetic conditions, endometriosis etc) ... what is this effects your fertility etc etc.?

This post is a few days old but I'm glad I found it.

I am in a similar position and, like @gypsywater, also have direct patient contact on a daily basis. I am also TTC right in the middle of a cycle, it just so happens the vaccine is being rolled out in my hospital this week. I havent 100% decided but I think even once this cycle is over, if I'm not pregnant, I will continue TTC and won't take the vaccine.

There was a big hype about it at work last week as everyone was signing up. I was asked by 4 individuals if id signed up for it (I think they were making sure I knew it was available, rather than pressuring me to take it) my response was "I'm not getting it at the moment". As others have pointed out, the vaccine is not compulsory and no one has the right to quiz you on your reasoning. I am just hoping the hype at work fizzles out, as most of my colleagues have now had it so it is less of a hot topic.

There are two issues here:

1. Whether to delay ttc until after having the vaccine, or delay having the vaccine until after the hoped for baby is born (and possibly until after weaning). Lots of food for thought on this thread already.

2. what to tell your colleagues, if you do decide to delay the vaccine. Simple - you have been advised not to have it for medical reasons. You don’t have to tell them what those medical reasons are. If they are nosey enough to ask, tell them you are not como detalle discussing your medical situation.

Can I ask what you did? I am in the same position, but I have covid at the moment. I would have the vaccine but already put ttc off for so long due to covid and time is getting on... in my opinion, I should have developed my own antibodies by the time I fall pregnant so the vaccine doesn’t offer me much in terms of immediate benefit. I do worry about what colleagues would think if they found out though. The guidelines have changed, but studies only carried out on animals so far in terms of fertility and teratogenicity so would rather wait until delivered for my vaccine. If I didn’t already have covid then perhaps I’d feel differently 🤷🏻‍♀️

I believe that the advice has now changed and you can continue to ttc whilst having the pfizer vaccine at the same time

Info from JCVI

Yes, I am aware the guidance from JCVI has changed, but there hasn’t been any new evidence to support that decision. The data listed in the SPC is very limited and in animals only. In which case, as I currently have covid and am likely to develop the same antibodies which will help at least in the short term, I think in my case there isn’t a huge benefit to being vaccinated immediately.

Obviously it’s everyone’s personal choice however I am ttc and was vaccinated last week. I know too many who have been in ICU or died though to take my chances - I can’t wait to get my second dose.

I personally wouldn’t have it whilst pregnant or breast feeding.

Explaining to colleagues: "Unfortunately I can't have it just now for medical reasons. I'd rather not discuss them as they're a bit personal. But I hope I can get it as soon as I'm able to".

Job done.