TTC and covid vaccine

[CC2021]

I'm a healthcare student on placement frontline NHS. We are hoping to be added to the vaccine list alongside the staff (our department are all getting them soon). DH and I are hoping to start TTC this year. I know RCOG have changed their advice to say pregnant frontline NHS workers should be eligible for the vaccine but they haven't mentioned frontline NHS who are TTC or who will be shortly. Do we still need to wait 3 months after the vaccine? The rest of the world don't have that advice, Canada and the US say it's fine to have the vaccine whilst TTC. If you're going to be trying this year and know you should be getting the vaccine soon (e.g. NHS or in a vulnerable category), will you be waiting 3 months after the 2nd dose? The advice previously was wait until 3 months after the 1st dose but that was when they were 2 weeks apart, not 12 weeks apart.

Advice is not to have it if you are TTC as they haven't tested that group. I am TTC with my husband and CEV. I've already waited eight months to TTC because of switching my usual medication to make it safe...I don't want to wait even longer to start trying. I'm hoping advice will change - if not I'll have it once I have had the baby if we are fortunate and conceive quickly.

Thanks @DaenarysStormborn I was rather hoping they'd change the TTC advice as they have with pregnancy. I can't understand how you can have it if pregnant but not TTC? I know the feeling about waiting because of meds. I'm in that process now - only 3 months so far but less than halfway there with med changes.

I hope they change the advice soon (or you conceive quickly so aren't waiting too long).

@DaenarysStormborn I apologise in advance but couldn’t read and not say anything. I obviously don’t know anything about you or your condition to make you CEV, however I must say my dear friend is currently in hospital with covid 25weeks pregnant,32yrs old, apart from suffering mild asthma (only had a blue inhaler no preventative) was ideal weight fit and healthy, gym 4times a week taken part in tough mudder before etc. She is very poorly,baby seems to be doing fine at moment. I’m sure you have weighed up the pros and cons but as I said I couldn’t read and not say.

I’m afraid if I was in your position I would take the vaccine, but that’s my opinion and I know not everyone will agree. Hopefully it will be found to be ok when women become pregnant naturally in the next few months, when we can get a better idea.

There's another thread going on the conception board about this from yesterday which I hadn't realised. It looks like RCOG have now updated their guidance based on the JCVI and they've said no need to wait to ttc after having the vaccine.

JCVI recommendation is no need to avoid pregnancy after vaccine now.

Women who are pregnant
There is no known risk associated with giving non-live vaccines during pregnancy. These vaccines cannot replicate, so they cannot cause infection in either the woman or the unborn child.
Although the available data do not indicate any safety concern or harm to pregnancy, there is insufficient evidence to recommend routine use of COVID-19 vaccines during pregnancy.
JCVI advises that, for women who are offered vaccination with the Pfizer-BioNTech or AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines, vaccination in pregnancy should be considered where the risk of exposure to Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV2) 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 pregnant women.
JCVI does not advise routine pregnancy testing before receipt of a COVID-19 vaccine. Those who are trying to become pregnant do not need to avoid pregnancy after vaccination.

assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/950113/jcvi-advice-on-priority-groups-for-covid-19-vaccination-30-dec-2020-revised.pdf

www.tommys.org/pregnancyhub/blogs-stories/covid-19-vaccine-pregnancy-and-breastfeeding

They need to update their guidance especially as they have delayed the 2nd does to 10 weeks. Does that mean the 3 months is extended

If it was me I’d have the first dose, ttc and then if not pregnant by time of second dose have the second dose. One dose would be better than no dose.

That sounds reassuring OP, as someone's whos pregnant and quickly approaching the 28 week mark where covid can lead to premature birth I'd say don't underestimate how nerve racking that is. I would want to be vaccinated if at all possible.

@DaenarysStormborn

Advice is not to have it if you are TTC as they haven't tested that group. I am TTC with my husband and CEV. I've already waited eight months to TTC because of switching my usual medication to make it safe...I don't want to wait even longer to start trying. I'm hoping advice will change - if not I'll have it once I have had the baby if we are fortunate and conceive quickly.

Are you a front line health care worker though?

Just to add I will definitely be having the vaccine. I was just wondering if people were waiting to try or not but based on the link on the other thread it looks like there is no need

Whoops thread moved on. Got distracted replying and the link has been shared. Thanks @JS87 for putting it here too. Hopefully more people will see it and can make an informed choice