Covid-19 Vaccination JCVI and RCOG Update

[Fia89]

As you may have seen on Friday 16th April, those of us in the UK that are pregnant are being offered the Covid-19 vaccine. So far America has successfully vaccinated over 90,000 pregnant women and so the UK are now following suit. Does anyone know anyone who has had a negative outcome? I know that you can feel pretty rough afterwards but anything really awful?

I don't personally know anyone who has had a bad outcome besides feeling a bit rubbish or having commonly reported SEs like muscle aches after being vaccinated in pregnancy.

It's a very personal decision and could be worth chatting to your GP but a robust review of available data demonstrates that being vaccinated is far safer for both pregnant women and their babies, particularly in the third trimester. All the info is on the RCOG website for people to look through.

Miscarriages have been reported after COVID vaccination, but not at higher rates than in the general population. This is really important to stress as I've said on another thread, if there were no pregnancy losses this would would be very surprising and would suggest that the vaccine was somehow preventing miscarriage. So you will always be able to find a story which links the vaccine to a tragic event like this, but it does not mean the vaccine caused it.

I'm not pregnant myself, but I have a friend who had it on the advice of her doctor a while ago. She had the usual side effects, tiredness, headache, but nothing more than that. I'm pleased they've changed the advice, I have friends who are pregnant who were worrying about being left out of the vaccine passports as they couldn't have the jab but are now all happily waiting to have it.

Thank you to both of you for your view. This is really helpful.

As far as I understand pregnant women are not being prioritized though, just not being prevented when their turn comes up by age...? I'd really like to get jabbed but I don't think my age group will come up in time.

I am pregnant and tbh won’t have the vaccine until I’ve had the baby but I’m 34 weeks already so the chances of being offered it before are slim. I’m very pro vaccination usually, but I’m just not 100% about this one

@shittingthreeeyedraven What makes you not sure on the vaccine? What helped you make that decision?

@MotherOfCrocodiles yes I believe it is age. I think the goal is to get everyone vaccinated before the end of July so depends when people are due.

I am pregnant, had the vaccine 4 weeks ago. The usual side effects for 24 hours no other issues. So glad I had a vaccine!

Thanks :) @AdriannaP

@Fia89
I’m not sure why I’m not sure, sorry that’s not much help. I think it’s more to do with the fact that it could potentially (however unlikely) affect the baby. Probably totally irrational and unscientific but that’s my view.

I also feel that I’ve come this long being careful about COVID during pregnancy that 5 more weeks or so won’t really make a difference. If I was less far along I might feel differently

@shittingthreeeyedraven thank you :) I appreciate your honesty and your view. :)

OP I’m fully vaccinated. Had my first at 20+ weeks once they changed the guidelines for healthcare workers, and my second yesterday. AZ following RCOG guidance (as that’s what my first was). I’m tired today, and my PGP is flaring a bit (muscle aches) - but that could so be from overdoing it at the weekend, as I’ve a 15 month old. Post my first dose, I had a headache and took paracetamol that night. Worked the following day! So nothing no significant. I’m 35 weeks pregnant now and have had several scans for alternative reasons, baby is doing fine!

I’m comfortable having reviewed the evidence that it’s the right choice for me. I’m glad that they are allowing women to make choices once to be offered it.

@MissingCoffeeandWine thanks so much for the feedback. I really appreciate you sharing with me. I understand each vaccine has had different side effects but all relatively similar so it's good to see there is a pattern.