How do you access Pfizer or Moderna in pregnancy?

[Mabelann]

I’ve been trying for a while to get the Pfizer or Moderna jab (the data from the US came out a while ago). The JCVI have now (4 days ago) said that pregnant people should be offered Pfizer or Moderna where available.

I’ve emailed my surgery as I’m expected to get called for my jab in the next two weeks. They’ve said they only do astrazenica, that Pfizer is not being offered anywhere at the moment because of reduced supply and they are unable to refer me to the hubs offering Moderna because they don’t know how.

So basically, I will be offered the vaccination, but not the ones that are recommended in pregnant. This seems really odd. Does anyone know whether my gp can refer me somewhere for a specific vaccination or whether it remains a lottery despite the advise from the JCVI?

Most GP hubs will have AstraZeneca for their first doses but the vaccine centres and hospitals will have all vaccines. Presumably pregnant women will access Pfizer/Moderna through their hospital antenatal teams?

In fact, if you read the letter here it says that they'll update the national booking site to include pregnant women soon: www.england.nhs.uk/coronavirus/publication/jcvi-announcement-regarding-covid-19-vaccination-during-pregnancy-and-next-steps/

Hello,

I’ve had similar problems when trying to access the Pfizer/Moderna vaccines through my GP or the national vaccination programme...I think this is due to the fact that although the current guidelines suggest the Pfizer/Moderna vaccines for pregnant women the guidelines also state that pregnant women should be offered the vaccines in line with their age group. As the national programme are currently vaccinating those 40 years and over only I suspect that hasn’t included that many pregnant women overall so that logistically that the issue of needing to be offered a specific vaccine type hasn’t quite been sorted yet. It is generally your GPs responsibility though to ensure that if you are meant to be offered only a specific vaccine type for health reasons that they arrange this for you....this is definitely the case for other patients who have to receive a specific vaccine type e.g. those who are unable to receive certain vaccine subtypes due to allergies to specific constituents for instance.

I am actually a doctor myself so my situation is slightly different in that my employer has now agreed to vaccinate me with the Moderna vaccine as I was getting nowhere with my GP and technically fall into a high risk category by being a healthcare worker (although I am actually now non-patient facing due to being above 28 weeks). I think you’re best bet is to get onto your practice manager and insist that they look into sourcing the recommended vaccines on your behalf.

Sorry not sure if this helps much! Rhiannonx

Sorry forgot to say the other alternative is to wait for the National Vaccination Programme via 119 to be updated to reflect the new guidance as ExpulsoCorona suggested which hopefully shouldn’t be too much longer. When I phoned them two days ago they said that they currently cannot book vaccines for pregnant patients through 119 as they cannot guarantee that the Pfizer/Moderna vaccines would be available when you actually attended your appointment. They directed me back to my GP but by that point I thought I’d probably have more luck through my hospital employer.

My gp surgery directly booked both my DC who can only have Pfizer as they are 17/18 into a hub clinic directly for their age category to ensure they can get the right vaccine

I’m sure that your local hub will be running appropriate clinics when it’s your age category

Pfizer pathways were and are being developed for U30’s. These are most likely to be in GP hubs. They will be extended to pregnant women. It’s new and won’t be part of national booking. You will be called by your GP service. Then you need to ask to go on the pathway. As long as you fit the criteria they will agree to it. They won’t agree if it is a choice matter.