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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Original poster

Will you get the Covid Autumn Booster vaccine during pregnant?

69 replies

happyfishcoco · 16/09/2022 19:15

I had my booster vaccine last Christmas, and now 24 weeks pregnant. I was told by the midwife it was recommended pregnant women have a Covid Autumn Booster vaccine.

But I am quite not sure about the side effect, not talking about headaches, arm pain, or illness.

As there is a saying, the covid vaccine is too new, and no one knows the long-term side effect, that maybe affect the baby.

If I am not pregnant, I defo will take the vaccine. but I am not sure now.

Will you have it?

OP posts:
Greeneyegirl · 16/09/2022 19:22

Im 21 weeks pregnant and have mine booked for sunday. I had my previous 3 whilst ttc and very much didnt want them then as i knew so many people left infertile from the jabs (no periods for months etc.) now im actually pregnant i feel more confident getting it done. I know lots of pregnant women who had their first jabs when pregnant and dont know anyone who had issues. I believe in jan last year 1/3 of people in intensive care were unvaccinated pregnant women due to having a temperature in their 3rd trimester.

Ubbee · 16/09/2022 19:48

Yes. There is an overwhelming amount of good evidence that having the vaccine, especially in pregnancy is the best thing to do.

There is lots of data from the UK and all over the world which supports this.

Ubbee · 16/09/2022 19:53

@Greeneyegirl There’s also no evidence that the vaccination affects fertility, and lots of good science to explain why it couldn’t.

tb4122 · 16/09/2022 19:57

I'll be having mine, I'll be 34 weeks. Not just for myself but for antibodies for the baby as he'll be autumn born.

Nancy155 · 16/09/2022 20:13

I find this a really tricky decision and a very personal one. I wouldn’t give it to my children I know that, so it makes me wary about giving it my unborn child. I haven’t decided yet, need to do some research so I can make an informed decision. As it happens my midwife hasn’t even mentioned it and had only discussed flu jab and whooping cough.

Snowleopardess · 16/09/2022 20:32

I had mine yesterday at 37 weeks - not sure it will even get to the baby as their own immune system kicks in about 35 weeks or something (why you are meant to have whooping cough jab before this) but means that I will be protected when in hospital giving birth etc, so thought I may as well

GeorgiePorge · 16/09/2022 20:37

I did with my last (healthy) pregnancy and I will again with this one.

I will have my flu jab as well and anything else recommended to keep me healthy in pregnancy.

I dont see the distinction between the fly jab and a covid one

Clrke · 16/09/2022 22:20

I am 25 weeks and I personally wouldn’t. If you have a look on the toxicity conclusions of the Gov website it says “ it is considered that sufficient reassurance of safe use of the vaccine in pregnant women cannot be provided at the present time: however, use in women of childbearing potential could be supported provided healthcare professionals are advised to rule out known or suspected pregnancy prior to vaccination.“ -

www.gov.uk/government/publications/regulatory-approval-of-pfizer-biontech-vaccine-for-covid-19/summary-public-assessment-report-for-pfizerbiontech-covid-19-vaccine

I would never pressure anyone either way, if you feel you’d be safer after getting it then do :)

Coffeaddict · 16/09/2022 22:22

I'm 31 weeks and had it on Tuesday as soon as I could book.

Babyenroute · 17/09/2022 06:09

I'm 35 weeks pregnant and had mine on Tuesday. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I just managed to get it in time for the antibodies to pass on to baby, but even if not, at least it will protect me for the birth. Had a sore arm for a few days after but otherwise perfectly fine!

Sneezy123 · 17/09/2022 07:23

I’m booked in for tomorrow at 37 weeks. Have been desperate to squeeze it in before baby arrives although hasn’t realised it wouldn’t benefit baby as much at this gestation. I’m really hoping I don’t get side effects I felt awful after my second dose, although fine after my booster!

parietal · 17/09/2022 07:52

Yes definitely.

Getting covid late in pregnancy is very dangerous for both mum and baby. And the vaccine will give baby extra protection too.

emma1103 · 17/09/2022 07:56

Personally, no. I'm 24 weeks pregnant now. I've had my first 2 vaccines, and not planning to get any more until I've had my baby. I had a stillbirth last year and still can't shake the idea that the vaccine may have played a part. I found out I was pregnant a week after my second vaccine of Astrazenica. From my 12 week scan baby had quite significant problems, and I'll always wonder if they are linked. He was stillborn at 30 weeks after developing severe hydrops, his body just flooded with fluid around his organs.

Willbe2under2 · 17/09/2022 08:17

Yes. I had my first two jabs while pregnant with DD and will have my autumn booster while pregnant with this one.

Original poster
happyfishcoco · 17/09/2022 16:58

I see, Since nowadays no evidence that the vaccination affects the baby and many reports can show the benefit for the baby and mummy, most people will have the vaccine.

actually quite make sense...

I will have it too, thanks for the reply.

OP posts:
WildHorsesRunInMe · 17/09/2022 17:03

Pregnant women are at a higher risk of complications should they catch COVID. Having the vaccine is the best way to protect you and your baby.

somethingluscious · 17/09/2022 17:08

Absolutely. They offer it alongside Flu and whopping cough vaccine, so I can book all of these when I go in for other antenatal appointments. I don't think the vaccines stop you you from catching covid, as I've had it twice now, but it's really important to reduce the impact of covid if you do catch it by giving your body extra immunity and antibodies to fight it off.

Vaccines in pregnancy also provide some immunity for the baby in the first few months after birth, which is why they recommend whopping cough vaccine to protect baby before they can have this vaccine independently at 8 weeks. Same with breastfeeding, etc. I have never able to catch chickenpox because I shared my mother's antibodies when my elder brothers had it. My youngest daughter had really slight chicken pox I think because she shared my antibodies when she was BFing.

CristinaNov182 · 17/09/2022 17:09

The nhs in uk has done an 180 degrees change in policy, after last year promoting the vaccine for pregnant women, now advising against it.

www.gov.uk/government/publications/regulatory-approval-of-pfizer-biontech-vaccine-for-covid-19/summary-public-assessment-report-for-pfizerbiontech-covid-19-vaccine

“Toxicity conclusions
The absence of reproductive toxicity data is a reflection of the speed of development to first identify and select COVID-19 mRNA Vaccine BNT162b2 for clinical testing and its rapid development to meet the ongoing urgent health need.

In principle, a decision on licensing a vaccine could be taken in these circumstances without data from reproductive toxicity studies animals, but there are studies ongoing and these will be provided when available.

In the context of supply under Regulation 174, it is considered that sufficient reassurance of safe use of the vaccine in pregnant women cannot be provided at the present time: however, use in women of childbearing potential could be supported provided healthcare professionals are advised to rule out known or suspected pregnancy prior to vaccination. Women who are breastfeeding should also not be vaccinated.

These judgements reflect the absence of data at the present time and do not reflect a specific finding of concern. Adequate advice with regard to women of childbearing potential, pregnant women and breastfeeding women has been provided in both the Information for UK Healthcare Professionals and the Information for UK recipients.“

there is no data to say it’s safe. No idea about long term effects. No studies done on toxicity etc

When you’re pregnant you’re advises against taking ibuprofen, eating blue cheese and pretty much anything for which there is no study.

i think eating blue cheese is most likely safe for pregnant women but we’re still told by midwives if we know everything that we can’t eat, so you do the vaccine on your own risk and on your children’s risk.

in other news, the uk has also stopped giving the vaccine to under 11 and Sweden, I believe, to under 50.

CurbsideProphet · 17/09/2022 17:15

I haven't been offered the booster and I'm 35.5 weeks. I saw my Consultant this week and she didn't mention it, neither has my midwife.

I felt so ill after my original vaccine (3 day severe migraine) and booster (2 day migraine) that I physically cannot bring myself to go through that so close to the end of my pregnancy. To protect me and baby I'm now semi isolating in that I'm mainly staying home (I'm shattered anyway and sorting out stuff). DH is WFH and avoiding crowded places. He's NHS and is going to have his booster in a couple of weeks.

I'm pregnant through IVF and have been through 2 miscarriages to get here. I had to fully isolate through treatment last year and at the start of this year, so I feel quite used to it. I imagine I would feel completely different if I hadn't needed IVF or had miscarriages.

NCBabyName · 17/09/2022 17:15

emma1103 · 17/09/2022 07:56

Personally, no. I'm 24 weeks pregnant now. I've had my first 2 vaccines, and not planning to get any more until I've had my baby. I had a stillbirth last year and still can't shake the idea that the vaccine may have played a part. I found out I was pregnant a week after my second vaccine of Astrazenica. From my 12 week scan baby had quite significant problems, and I'll always wonder if they are linked. He was stillborn at 30 weeks after developing severe hydrops, his body just flooded with fluid around his organs.

I am the same.
I had to TFMR at 27 weeks last year, in part due to a large clot in baby's brain along with a very advanced vein of Galen malformation.
I also can't help but make a link between the vaccine and the reason for which I had to terminate at such a late stage, especially as the issues were blood/clot/vein related.

I just don't know.

Nancy155 · 17/09/2022 17:20

CristinaNov182 · 17/09/2022 17:09

The nhs in uk has done an 180 degrees change in policy, after last year promoting the vaccine for pregnant women, now advising against it.

www.gov.uk/government/publications/regulatory-approval-of-pfizer-biontech-vaccine-for-covid-19/summary-public-assessment-report-for-pfizerbiontech-covid-19-vaccine

“Toxicity conclusions
The absence of reproductive toxicity data is a reflection of the speed of development to first identify and select COVID-19 mRNA Vaccine BNT162b2 for clinical testing and its rapid development to meet the ongoing urgent health need.

In principle, a decision on licensing a vaccine could be taken in these circumstances without data from reproductive toxicity studies animals, but there are studies ongoing and these will be provided when available.

In the context of supply under Regulation 174, it is considered that sufficient reassurance of safe use of the vaccine in pregnant women cannot be provided at the present time: however, use in women of childbearing potential could be supported provided healthcare professionals are advised to rule out known or suspected pregnancy prior to vaccination. Women who are breastfeeding should also not be vaccinated.

These judgements reflect the absence of data at the present time and do not reflect a specific finding of concern. Adequate advice with regard to women of childbearing potential, pregnant women and breastfeeding women has been provided in both the Information for UK Healthcare Professionals and the Information for UK recipients.“

there is no data to say it’s safe. No idea about long term effects. No studies done on toxicity etc

When you’re pregnant you’re advises against taking ibuprofen, eating blue cheese and pretty much anything for which there is no study.

i think eating blue cheese is most likely safe for pregnant women but we’re still told by midwives if we know everything that we can’t eat, so you do the vaccine on your own risk and on your children’s risk.

in other news, the uk has also stopped giving the vaccine to under 11 and Sweden, I believe, to under 50.

Thank you for the information. This is what I have read previously, the unknown long term side effects really worry me. I am confident in my decision not to have it.

dementedpixie · 17/09/2022 17:26

They haven't changed the advice at all.
At the start of the vaccinations for covid it was advised not to get the vaccine while pregnant as there wasn't enough information to show it was safe.

There is now a lot of evidence to show it is safe and it is advised for pregnant women to get vaccinated.

dementedpixie · 17/09/2022 17:29

www.rcog.org.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-pregnancy-and-women-s-health/vaccination/covid-19-vaccines-pregnancy-and-breastfeeding-faqs/

Updated in March 2022 so is current advice and information

CristinaNov182 · 17/09/2022 17:37

dementedpixie · 17/09/2022 17:26

They haven't changed the advice at all.
At the start of the vaccinations for covid it was advised not to get the vaccine while pregnant as there wasn't enough information to show it was safe.

There is now a lot of evidence to show it is safe and it is advised for pregnant women to get vaccinated.

Yes they have

proof: the link I have is the new west one, see header : Decision
Summary of the Public Assessment Report for COVID-19 Vaccine Pfizer/BioNTech
Updated 16 August 2022

the old page hasn’t been updated yet and still advises it

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

the old page says is totally safe while the august one says
“sufficient reassurance of safe use of the vaccine in pregnant women cannot be provided at the present time:”

so you square that one with your baby”s health.

where is the evidence? Check on Pfizer’s page or the others who make the covid vaccines, it takes a bit of time but you’ll find out pregnant women were excluded from the initial large-scale Covid-19 vaccine trials. There were 57 unintended pregnancies during the trials of the Moderna, Pfizer and Astrazeneca vaccines but this number was too small to show much about safety in pregnancy.

the “studies” done after looked at pregnant women who took the vaccine during pregnancy to identify safety concerns and indeed they didn’t identify any. But these are not toxicity or long term studies, just outcomes, also they haven’t been peer reviewed or taken on board by the nhs in uk, for ex.

I’m not against women not doing it, but you should know all info first.

Mommabear20 · 17/09/2022 17:41

I've had my first and second vaccine but have been pregnant since being due my booster and won't get it till after she's born. For me personally, the vaccine hasn't been around long enough to know the long term side affects, for me to be comfortable enough to take that chance with my kids. I'm happy to risk myself if there's future complications, but not them.