Covid vaccine

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Anyone pregnant and got the option of having the covid vaccine now? Nhs workers?
Are you planning on having it or not?

Nope absolutely not x

Me. I think I will take it.

It’s not licensed for pregnant women. But if an individual is at risk, they are told to talk about it with their consultant to see if the benefits outweigh the risks.

the Oxford vaccine can be given if breastfeeding though

I’m frontline healthcare and absolutely won’t be having it whilst pregnant. I’m otherwise fit and healthy so no more at risk.

I'm planning on having it on Thursday! This is a good tool for anyone pregnant considering the vaccine drive.google.com/file/d/1amyuWed4XkO5dwyfCKmu72RzaAoNf8u-/view

I'm not nhs, but I'm having to shield, and I'm in a such a dilemma as to whether to have it or not, I'm currently 17 weeks

@Nat4392 I think pregnancy is considered high risk. The studies quoted in the info tool I posted suggest 5x more likely to need ic treatment and ventilation if covid and pregnant also increased risk of preterm labour or death than those of the same age who catch covid when not pregnant.

@BeeKeeping I know several people who have had covid and pregnancy and all recovered if otherwise well. It can make some symptoms more severe but overall data shows it is generally ok, if unpleasant.

There's been no testing of the vaccine in pregnant women - it's not worth the risk even if it offered you some more freedom. I'm not sure the nhs would even do it? Also if you're under 40 like me, I don't think we'll be offered for a very long time, so you'll likely be postpartum and will have to decide re breastfeeding or not

@BeeKeeping eek just read that link. Wish I hadn't. Seems there's a lot of conflicting info out there! I'm 24 weeks so just going to plough through but will definitely consider the Oxford vaccine while BF if I'm offered it

I'm NHS and am being offered it within next 3 weeks. It's the Pfizer one. I'm 6+1 and have been told to speak to my GP to make the decision. My partner and mum don't want me to. I'm feeling pretty torn but thinking I should at least wait until 2nd trimester maybe?

@RMarieClaire Thanks. I think the OP was about nhs workers. Generally, if you're able to stay away from high risk situations then the advice is not to get the vaccine. You're right- it's not been tested in pregnant woman, but those who did get pregnant during the trials had no ill effects. It's also been tested in pregnant rats with no ill effects. Previous vaccines like this one have also been shown to be safe. I think if you're a healthcare worker you're much more likely to get covid, and potentially a worse covid due to high viral load exposure. My choices are - refuse to see patients- or get the vaccine- or likely get covid and take my chances... and like my previous post said the consequences of that could be life altering or fatal.

I'm pregnant and would take it if offered. Admittedly I'm in the second trimester so there's less to go wrong as it were than if I was newly pregnant, but having the vaccine in pregnancy will transfer immunity to my baby, whereas as soon as he's born he's bottom of the list and may never get the vaccine himself.

I'm NHS but not patient facing, and clinically vulnerable anyway (not ECV, just CV). My background is in biomedical science, specifically immunology, and I've reassured myself that on the balance of unknown versus known risks that would be the best option for me, though according to the covid calculator I'm likely to be offered the vaccine just after baby is born anyway.

the Oxford vaccine can be given if breastfeeding though

Pfizer too.

@PlanBea I was surprised to be offended the vaccine so soon. I had called occupational health to ask to be put on the waiting list when the guidelines re pregnancy and frontline workers changed. You should try calling them to see if they have any cancellations

I had it today. I’m 18 wks. Husband and I are both doctors - 3 kids in keyworker hubs. I’m feeling a bit wobbly about my choice to be honest. Common sense tells me it was the right thing to do and I can’t see a plausible mechanism for harm but feel like a bit of a guinea pig. Would like to hear from other pregnant ladies who had it.

So after carefully weighing up the pros and cons and deciding to get the vaccine- after discussing with my GP and occ health department- I turned up for my appointment today and they wouldn't give me it 🤦🏻‍♀️ So much contradictory advice! Told that BF mums are given the choice but not pregnant mums. When I explained about the higher risks of catching covid they advised another risk assessment, discussing with line management and less patient facing if possible.... I work in a small specialised team and any less patient contact directly impacts my close colleagues and puts them under more pressure and higher risk.... which is why I wanted the vaccine. I really don't know what to do 😔

@BeeKeeping - were you able to get it in the end? Curious as I'm meant to have the Pfizer vaccine this week and am 14w. Hope it worked out for you.

@WolfMother326 I didn't get it in the end! I didn't fight very hard to be fair- my line manager took a cautious approach after I was refused the vaccine and took me off face to face patient contact. Despite the fact I was only 12 weeks at the time. I'm now just working from home so hopefully very low risk of catching it.

I'm in two minds of getting my second dose due on 21st. I had my first dose 17th December, and am now 6+2 pregnant. The NHS advice given on my most recent invite still states if pregnant or ttc to wait, but advise is conflicting.
So I'm unsure what to do also 🙄

@LauEli if it reassures you, over 10,000 women in America alone have had the vaccine whilst pregnant as of the end of January. There they have a really thorough follow up system in place, and actively contact each woman to determine outcomes, here it's based on doctors flagging through the yellow card scheme. There has been no difference in pregnancy outcomes between those vaccinated and the general population. If you are already in line for a second dose it sounds like you are either at high risk of exposure or high risk of complications?

PlanBea I'd caution that having the vaccine as a pregnant woman is very political in America, worn like a badge of honour all over social media to prove you're doing enough to combat Covid. I was surprised to see it framed as "a woman's right to choose" just like abortion. I have a big group of US friends who think you can't be a liberal or democrat voter if you don't think pregnant women should be vaccinated. I'm always cautious of health matters becoming politicised.

@PetraRabbit I only stated the American figures as they have much tighter control on the follow up, and higher numbers receiving the vaccine. The UK figures through the yellow card scheme show the same - the side effects noted are allergic reaction but this is at the same rate as the general population.

The UK statistics are available up to 31st Jan on here - www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-vaccine-adverse-reactions/coronavirus-vaccine-summary-of-yellow-card-reporting

@PlanBea I'm a health care worker so patient facing hence why I've had it, so yes probably classed as high risk. I'm going to speak to midwife tomorrow 😊

I spoke to my midwife who said on balance I would not be recommended to have it whilst pregnant as I don't have enough risk factors. I would have waited anyway.

I’m not going to have it as I strongly suspect I have had Covid it already, my husband was hospitalised and I had a bad headache for a few days and a funny taste in my mouth.