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Original poster

22 weeks pregnant and unvaccinated, advice please

31 replies

Xxdxx2020 · 02/01/2022 14:52

I'm 22 weeks pregnant, not vaccinated. The data about catching covid in 3rd trimester/unvaxxed is concerning me a lot, but if omicron only responds to a 3rd/booster, is there any point in me getting a 1st/2nd dose now? Based on vaccine timings, if I get vaxxed now I can only have my booster after the baby is born. So if omicron only is combatted with 3 doses/booster, getting covid now would still be a risk for me and my baby? And as I understand it, omicron is or will be the dominant strain?

Please respond kindly. I chose not to get the vaccine because it was untested in pregnancy and I was scared it may negatively affect the baby. I am aware of the risks of covid/pregnancy... to be honest I wish I had it now, or that omicron responds to single/double dose. I could get it now and get the booster in May after my baby is born, sooner the better, I know. But part of me still is worried that it's an unknown risk in pregnancy (there hasn't been time for long term study of its effects) and I could be risking vaccine side effects for little gain? I am in support of the vaccine and have supported my whole family getting it, it is just the fact it's not long term tested in pregnancy that has held me back. I'm in good health generally, not at risk, just pregnant.

Anyway, will a recent first or second dose prevent bad covid illness in 3rd trimester, or does it have to be a booster too?

OP posts:
Firefliess · 02/01/2022 15:02

Two doses won't necessarily stop you catching covid, but it will make you a lot less likely to be really ill with it. Being pregnant dose make you at more risk of getting very ill with it, so so I'd go get your second dose soon, and then yes you can get a booster after the baby is born.

I was volunteering at my local vaccination centre this morning and we had quite a few pregnant women in for both second doses and boosters.

Whathefisgoingon · 02/01/2022 16:00

About 6 months ago I read that over 100,000 pregnant women had received the Pfizer vaccine in America with no adverse outcomes at all.

As far as I understand, It has been proven to be safe and effective during pregnancy which is why it is recommended by health professionals.

I have a 23 month old and you couldn’t pay me to get pregnant without being vaccinated given the risks with covid.

1,2 vaccines.. better than none.

If I were in your shoes, I’d book in ASAP.

Cookerhood · 02/01/2022 16:01

It's not that 3 doses are needed, it's just 2 don't hold up so well over time. Even getting 1 or 2 will give you much more protection than none. Get it as soon as you can.

Mindymomo · 02/01/2022 16:05

There is another recent post where a woman’s partner has just tested positive and she is pregnant and now very worried indeed that she hasn’t had any vaccine so far and now she wants the vaccine, but cannot go out and get it as she has to isolate. Reading previously about the amount of unvaccinated pregnant women in ICU is very worrying.

brokenkettle · 02/01/2022 16:06

Yes, the booster is recommended because the effects of the initial 2 doses wane over time.

1 dose offers some protection, 2 doses offers more, and the booster helps maintain this effect. Get yourself booked in!

www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/pregnancy-breastfeeding-fertility-and-coronavirus-covid-19-vaccination/

PurpleDaisies · 02/01/2022 16:10

Any protection you can get yourself now will be a good thing. I’d be at a walk in centre/vaccination appointment asap. They’ll be thrilled to see you there.

jupitermars1345 · 02/01/2022 16:11

I would definitely go and get your first vaccine asap :)

Changelingbutonlyforme · 02/01/2022 16:13

Yep, get the vaccine. You do get some protection from 1 or 2 doses. And 2 doses you’ve just had is more effective that 2 doses you had six months ago (efficacy wanes off time).

Spottyspotladybird · 02/01/2022 16:16

My advice would be get vaccinated as you get some protection from one dose.

takenforgrantednana · 02/01/2022 16:18

@Xxdxx2020

I'm 22 weeks pregnant, not vaccinated. The data about catching covid in 3rd trimester/unvaxxed is concerning me a lot, but if omicron only responds to a 3rd/booster, is there any point in me getting a 1st/2nd dose now? Based on vaccine timings, if I get vaxxed now I can only have my booster after the baby is born. So if omicron only is combatted with 3 doses/booster, getting covid now would still be a risk for me and my baby? And as I understand it, omicron is or will be the dominant strain?

Please respond kindly. I chose not to get the vaccine because it was untested in pregnancy and I was scared it may negatively affect the baby. I am aware of the risks of covid/pregnancy... to be honest I wish I had it now, or that omicron responds to single/double dose. I could get it now and get the booster in May after my baby is born, sooner the better, I know. But part of me still is worried that it's an unknown risk in pregnancy (there hasn't been time for long term study of its effects) and I could be risking vaccine side effects for little gain? I am in support of the vaccine and have supported my whole family getting it, it is just the fact it's not long term tested in pregnancy that has held me back. I'm in good health generally, not at risk, just pregnant.

Anyway, will a recent first or second dose prevent bad covid illness in 3rd trimester, or does it have to be a booster too?

yes there is every point in getting you fully vaccinated, ok omicron is the current one of concern, but the previous ones are still in circulation, why wait any longer? you are just increasing the risk by delaying. the fact is that pregnancy is a risk to covid that is why during the first lockdown pregnant women where told to stay at home
CarrieBlue · 02/01/2022 16:18

Get your vaccine. Even if the timings of doses take you past your due date, you don’t want covid and a newborn to deal with and anything is better than nothing protection wise.

TulipsGarden · 02/01/2022 16:19

One dose offers some protection, two more, the booster more again. It's not that you're not protected until you get the booster, it's a gradual build up and having had a recent vaccination will help because the effect wanes over time.

Just go and get it tomorrow. You'll feel safer and they'll be delighted to see you.

nocoolnamesleft · 02/01/2022 16:20

Please get the vaccine. Partially vaccinated is considerably safer than unvaccinated. And being significantly unwell with covid is a cause of preventable preterm labour. Being vaccinated, even now, could well protect your baby. So it makes sense for both of you.

toomuchlaundry · 02/01/2022 16:21

Why didn’t you get vaccinated before you got pregnant?

thewhatsit · 02/01/2022 16:21

Even if you assume that two doses had virtually no impact on your chance of contacting Covid, I think the evidence is unanimous in that it helps against serious illness. The vaccines are less effective than they were against previous variants but that doesn’t mean not worth getting. With omicron being milder AND getting 1 or 2 jabs in before the end of your pregnancy, I would be far less worried.

NotMyDayJob · 02/01/2022 16:25

I am 29 weeks pregnant and the evidence was there before I got pregnant so at 22 weeks pregnant it has also been there for a while. I had my booster at around 27 weeks pregnant. It's fine, just get vaccinated

Beekindbeehumble · 02/01/2022 16:25

In your situation I would have the first dose asap.
By the time you can have the booster, it means you are more protected and should protect your child. As an unvaccinated person, it may mean you have to isolate when pregnant, this missing or delaying ante natal appointments, or support in the first few months.

Original poster
Xxdxx2020 · 02/01/2022 16:30

Okay thanks so much everyone. I'll get booked for it in ASAP!

OP posts:
Neurodiversitydoctor · 02/01/2022 16:32

I'm 22 weeks pregnant, not vaccinated

I'm sorry but just how ? Unless you are incredibly young (and even then) you would have been eligible for vaccination BEFORE you were pregnant. So you didn't get vaccinated then and now you are worried about complications in the third trimester. Of course get your jabs, but with omicron and in pregnancy you are not going to achieve significant protection before 34 weeks. I would be wearing a FP3 mask everywhere.

birdglasspen · 02/01/2022 16:42

I had first. Vaccine when pregnant, baby 5 months now and I had my booster just before Christmas. No issues. Get the vaccine even one before baby arrives is worth it! I had my second a week or so after baby was born due to when I was able I’d have been happier having both before giving birth!

PAFMO · 02/01/2022 16:52

Take the advice your midwife/GP gives you.
You are a priority case as a pregnant woman to be vaccinated as you and your unborn child are considered to be medically vulnerable should you catch Covid.

Original poster
Xxdxx2020 · 02/01/2022 17:07

@Neurodiversitydoctor I wear ffp2 masks on the rare occasion I go out. I work from home and have a very "lock down" lifestyle, people in my life as well as myself often do LFTs, I'm a very cautious person. Before this pregnancy I was pregnant which ended in a loss, then trying to concieve with the same concerns about lack long term studies on the vaccine in pregnancy, they didn't offer it to pregnant women unless you were high risk at first anyway before the guidance changed. Furthermore, there was not as much reporting done on third trimester complications, as the news was mainly focused on the general strain on NHS and getting vaccines. Now there is a lot of evidence on the risks of covid to pregnancy, but beforehand not so much, so to me, with this in mind as well as the rising number of cases, I feel the risks of complications from catching covid in pregnancy are greater than the chance of me avoiding catching it, it's not worth the risk being unvaccinated. Everyone assimilates information differently depending on their own experiences and moment in their life, it turns out I arrived at the vaccine decision at 22 weeks pregnant.

The question this thread was about the impact of 1/2 doses vs a booster. Hopefully I've added a bit of context to this but I won't be getting into a debate.

OP posts:
BigotSpigot · 02/01/2022 17:10

You can get one straight away and probably another one around week 30/32 and a booster after you give birth. You really don't want to be unvaccinated after 30 weeks.

BikeMyCycle · 02/01/2022 17:20

I’m 16 weeks and just had my booster, I got my first two before we got pregnant but I was happy with the research that Pfizer, particularly, was safe during pregnancy as I didn’t know if I would get pregnant in between doses.

A member of my family didn’t get vaccinated and got covid, she was lucky in that her symptoms were very mild but unfortunately meant she went into preterm labour 9 weeks early (the reason being confirmed by her consultant). Thankfully baby is doing ok.

I’m really glad I’ve read above that you’re booking in.

The booster is basically to top up on the other two, they will still protect you so please please get it.

NotMyDayJob · 02/01/2022 17:23

I don't have any medical stats etc but I understand vaccinating in the third trimester could pass on some antibodies to the baby as well (breastfeeding will also do this if you choose to do so)