Can’t get Covid vaccine anywhere

[JenBedlow]

Have any other pregnant people had trouble getting the Covid vaccine in 2024? Despite all the posters in the hospital and my midwife suggesting I get a booster I can’t find anywhere that is doing them. I live in Gloucestershire but very happy to travel to get one!

I’m 35 weeks and weirdly during my first midwife appointments midwife told me that they are not recommending the jab for pregnant women anymore. She told me I can get the flu jab and whooping cough.

Im based in London. I’ve heard so much mixed advice on this and I’ve just left it. I hope you do find somewhere though.

Cant you ask your midwife or GP practice or some of the places you are seeing these posters?

I'm not pregnant but our local health hub said nationally the winter booster programme has ceased and none available until Spring Booster campaign. Sorry if this is true

Pretty sure it’s stopped now until the Autumn. I got mine in December and they said they were just using up left over stock and the whole thing was ending in early Jan. I’ve just checked the NHS website and it doesn’t give any options to find vaccine clinics which it did a couple of months ago.

Thanks everyone, that’s exactly what I’ve found, that the winter 2023 vaccine service has ended. It’s funny that the same virus is suddenly not being considered a worry to pregnant women. I just managed to find a private vaccine option on Pharmadoctor (they are starting private vaccines in pharmacies from April) so have made an appointment request.

I wonder if it’s linked to spending cuts. They’ve kept it very quiet.

That’s strange, I wonder why your midwife would say that? It isn’t true.

The spring vaccine isn't being rolled out to pregnant women either, this info was given by a midwife.

Again, this simply isn’t true. Pregnant women will receive the Covid spring booster. Point your midwife in the direction of tables 3 and 4 in chapter 14a of the Green Book.

It’s quite worrying hearing about all these ill-informed midwives..!

Our hospital isn't offering it to pregnant women either anymore. Was told it isn't recommended any more but it's personal choice if you have it or not. I'm in Surrey now.

I’m 35 weeks pregnant and was offered it and sent times for the local clinic held at the hospital. I couldn’t attend the appointment and was given another one at a different place. I still get the messages on the badger app saying what local hospitals have the vaccine clinics on for Covid, flu and whooping cough. I would ask your midwife to check it for you.

I’m 35 weeks too and was told by my midwife that she could provide my flu and whooping vaccine but not my covid one as it had to be done at the mass clinics etc. She said it was personal choice if I go for it but would still recommend it. The only reason she wasn’t able to provide it was due to the cuts in amount of vaccines.

Spring booster campaign starts 22nd April through to 30th June, pregnant women are in the cohort for spring booster.

I reacted really, really badly to all three of the covid vaccines. I'm wondering if I am better not to have it at all now pregnant. Just don't know what to do for the best.

covid vaccine isn't suggested or recommended at my hospital for pregnant women. (Not, not recommended either, they just don't mention it when discussing the vaccines they advise you to get and I never asked as I don't want it due to personal reasons) but I'm pretty when I had an appointment last week with a consultant, it was written up on the board that the vaccine was available with dates and times so I'm guessing some places still have it. I'm east London tho, abit far for op to travel lol.

I'm 33 weeks and my flu vaccine was in an Asda pharmacy and whooping cough after my 20 week scan x
.

Totally understand why you’re questioning having the vaccine with those bad reactions. The main reason I want it is because I had pneumonia about 4 years ago (before Covid) and it scared me a lot. I think it’s such a personal and individual decision.

The Gov updated their website a long time ago saying they don’t recommend the vaccine for pregnant women. Why risk anything affecting your baby.

Again, this is absolutely false.

Yes! I had my appointment in for a booster December cancelled due to shortage issues. I called last month and they said they can't get any for 3 months as there's a shortage. My midwife has recommended I get it tho?

P.s I'm 22 weeks now

….

@Suchardchoccy I was able yesterday to make an appointment for April at a pharmacy near (ish) me at pharmadoctor.co.uk.

@softkitty79 thanks for this brilliant info. I just looked and that’s exactly what it says now on this NHS page: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/covid-19/covid-19-vaccination/getting-a-covid-19-vaccine/#:~:text=You%20may%20be%20offered%20a,have%20a%20weakened%20immune%20system

You can post highlighted screenshots as much as you like - I can counter anti-vax bullshit all day long

The Government have never said they do not recommend the vaccine for pregnant women.

The screenshot you shared is from December 2020. (Remember, no vaccine or medicines are trialled on pregnant women, for obvious reasons…!) If you would like to fact check your screenshot and what it means, have a google:

https://www.reuters.com/article/factcheck-coronavirus-mhra-idUSL1N3070K1

Here’s an excerpt:

Thousands of people have interacted with social media posts that falsely claim the British government has secretly revoked approval for pregnant and breastfeeding women to get vaccinated against COVID-19.

The claim stems from a misinterpretation of an update to public documents listed on a webpage of the UK’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), which detail the regulatory approval of Pfizer/BioNTech’s shot.

There is no evidence Covid vaccinations are associated with miscarriage, pre-term birth, difficulties with getting pregnant, difficulties with staying pregnant….

Here's what the Government actually says: Coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine is strongly recommended for pregnant and breastfeeding women by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and the Royal College of Midwives. The COVID-19 vaccines available in the UK are the safest and most effective way to protect you and your baby.

And the RCOG: COVID-19 vaccines are strongly recommended in pregnancy. Vaccination is the best way to protect against the known risks of COVID-19 in pregnancy for both women and babies, including admission of the woman to intensive care and premature birth of the baby.

The COVID-19 vaccines being used in the UK are not ‘live’ vaccines and so cannot cause COVID-19 infection in you or your baby. Vaccines based on live viruses are avoided in pregnancy in case they infect the developing baby and cause harm. However, non-live vaccines have been shown to be safe in pregnancy (for example, flu and whooping cough).

Studies have shown that protective antibodies from vaccination do cross the placenta, helping with the baby’s immunity to COVID-19. We know that catching COVID-19 during pregnancy can cause severe illness in a pregnant woman, which is why COVID-19 vaccine in pregnancy is so strongly recommended.

And the JCVI: Vaccination is the best way to protect against the known risks of COVID-19 in pregnancy for both women and babies, including reducing the risk of admission to intensive care and premature birth.

I'm very very pro vaccines usually. And I'm pro this one. I just cannot describe how bad my reaction was, so really struggling with what to do.

Surely you will be a priority for getting it?