No Booster cos I’m Pregnant

[ImStayingInside]

Booked an appointment for my booster for today, as I am over 30 and beyond 3 months after my 2nd jab to be turned away by the pharmacist due to me being pregnant?
I had both other doses while pregnant, but she said she didn’t want to take the risk and told me to come back once I’ve had the baby.
So now I am booster-less and can’t rebook an appointment elsewhere because I’m still on the system as having my appointment this evening.
Has anyone else had an experience like this? I checked the RCOG guidance, which although out of date, says that pregnant women should be offered a booster 6 months after their 2nd dose.
What a waste of time and I’m really not sure whether I’ll get a booster before the baby comes in 2 weeks.

This won't help you get it any sooner, but I would flag it with your maternity unit and GP that the pharmacist is giving out incorrect advice - it's likely you won't be the only person they say this too so the sooner they are 'reeducated' the better.

Your immunity from a booster wouldnt really kick in for 2 weeks. So if your due date is that close then I would probably come back after the birth.

She told me I wasn’t the first pregnant woman she had turned away today 🙄
I’m wondering if it’s just her belief rather than her actually being unable to give me the jab?

@LemonSwan but surely that’s my decision, unless the guidance states that it’s unsafe and I’d rather be in hospital with boosted immunity than wait until afterwards.

Pharmacist gave me mine at 26 weeks. It should absolutely be your choice!

Try booking again tomorrow somewhere else.

@LemonSwan

Your immunity from a booster wouldnt really kick in for 2 weeks. So if your due date is that close then I would probably come back after the birth.

Surely it is better to have now so she is protected when giving birth? I would definitely complain, that is disgusting behaviour by the pharmacist.

Does this pharmacist go against medical advice and norms in other situations too? Is she someone who won't give women the morning after pill, for example?

I had a booster 2 weeks ago at 37 weeks

And yesterday, I had a text from my hospital pleading with pregnant women to come forward and get any jab they are eligible for, and to tell me that they are doing special walk in antenatal vaccine clinics at the hospital

Are you sure the pharmacist didn’t turn you away because it’s too soon since your 2nd jab?

Definitely flag this pharmacist!! She shouldn’t be giving out that info.. you could approach the pharmacy manager and explain or try somewhere else xo

I had my first dose in a pharmacy at 14 weeks and my second at 23 weeks, also in a pharmacy.
I’m going to try a walk in where I got my second dose tomorrow morning and if not call the Covid vaccine line at my hospital.

Please please complain about the pharmacist.

@SW1amp she tried to tell me this at first, but I had my 2nd dose 11th September and with the new guidance that makes me eligible for the booster 11th December.
She then told me that she wouldn’t give me it because I’m pregnant and she didn’t feel comfortable without a doctor present and to just come back after the baby is born.

This pharmacist is refusing medical assistance to a vulnerable person, and spouting misinformation as well. Absolutely complain or report.

@Ceramide that was the example I gave to my husband when I was having a rant in the car. Luckily he was able to get his booster, so at least one of us managed it!

This is just plain wrong advice from the pharmacist. Have you seen all the info that catching Covid in pregnancy can potentially be bad for you and the baby, and therefore for most women the benefits of Covid vaccination outweigh any risks.

Evidenced based info from the Royal College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology here

This is outrageous! The pharmacist is placing you at increased risk because of their own beliefs rather than sound medical guidance. I had a midwife advise me not to get my vaccine a few months ago on the same basis. I'm so glad I ignored her, I really wish I could get the booster but have to wait until January. Hope you manage to get it elsewhere ASAP

Oh my god. It’s people like this that are literally wrecking all the hard work we are doing with pregnant women. I could scream. Please, please OP - report this to your local head of midwifery.

That is absolutely outrageous

I’m last person to say ‘report them’ but on this occasion I absolutely would

It’s criminal to be turning people away from booked appointments at a time there is a mad push to get as many people as possible vaccinated, let alone to do so on the basis of her own batshit opinions

but surely that’s my decision, unless the guidance states that it’s unsafe and I’d rather be in hospital with boosted immunity than wait until afterwards.

Yes absolutely if you want it you should get it! I would just call your midwife if you do want it before the birth.

Thats shockingly bad, you need to report the pharmacist

What?! That's ridiculous! We're actively encouraging pregnant women to get vaccinated, there's whole campaigns on it! That pharmacist isn't just wrong, she's a risk.

What awful advice. Definitely complain!

I went to the walk in vaccine clinic this morning and got my booster from a nurse. He couldn’t believe that I was turned away from an appointment yesterday and said how important it is for pregnant women to get any vaccine they are eligible for.
They were so efficient, I was there for 8:03 and home for 8:30, if I’d known it would be so easy, I wouldn’t have even bothered with the appointment yesterday which was a 5 mile drive compared to a half mile walk.

I had my booster whilst pregnany seven weeks ago. Speak to your maternity unit. They may be able to arrange something for you. My unit are offering them now.

Also once the appt expired and it is shown you "missed" it you should be able to rebook