Do you have a question about getting the COVID-19 vaccine during pregnancy? £200 voucher to be won

[LibbyMumsnet]

We are no longer taking questions on this thread, please read answers below.

Created for Our Healthier South East London

Our Healthier South East London have organised for Dr Juliet Grenham and Dr Anita Banerjee to answer your questions.

• Everyone who shares a question on the thread below will be entered into a prize draw

• One lucky Mumsnet user will win a £200 voucher for any store of their choice (from a list)

• The experts will be back to answer some of your questions throughout the next three weeks

About the experts:
Juliet qualified in 2016 from Barts and The Royal London Medical School in London. She has been working in South London since qualifying. The majority of her experience is in Emergency Medicine and General Practice and, as the mother of two boys, she has a particular interest in maternal health and child health. She is currently working with the Lewisham Public Health Team as part of her training to become a GP.

Anita Banerjee is an obstetric physician, diabetes and endocrinology consultant and internal medicine honorary reader in obstetric medicine at King's College London. Involved in clinical practice and working locally, regionally, nationally and internationally, Anita specialises in working with complex medical conditions in pregnancy and high risk pregnancies, and has spoken at conferences locally, nationally and internationally. Anita currently works as an obstetric physician consultant at Guy's and St Thomas' Hospital in London.

Here’s what Our Healthier South East London has to say:
“At Our Healthier South East London, we know how important it is to support our residents, especially those most vulnerable. This is why we are working hard to reach and engage expectant families and those thinking about having children so they can quickly access clear information and advice that is most relevant to them. Our ‘Ask the expert Q&A’ is just one way that we hope to provide expectant families with the vital information they need to make an informed choice about their vaccination decisions” - Pamela Froggatt, Our Healthier South East London Deputy Director of Communications and Engagement

Do you have a question on the latest advice on COVID-19 vaccination and pregnancy? Or perhaps you would like to understand more about the potential benefits and side effects? Whatever your question is, post on this thread for the experts to answer.

Thanks and good luck!
MNHQ
Insight T&C's apply

@AutomaticMoon

How can doctors claim the vaccine doesn’t affect fertility when over 35000 women in the UK reported menstrual disturbances? If you’re not having your period, surely that is an effect on fertility.

@AutomaticMoon The reports of menstrual distrubance after receiving the vaccine have been carefully studied. This seems to be a rare and temporary side effect experienced by some women. A statement by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists explains that periods usually revert back to normal after 1-2 cycles. They state that there is no evidence to suggest that these temporary changes will have any impact on a person’s future fertility, or their ability to have children.

@Jules131

I am double vaccinated and currently pregnant. I’m not due for my booster yet, but if I do get invited, I’m not sure whether to just wait until after the birth? I know they say the risks of any untoward effects on your unborn child are low, but given I’m already double vaccinated, it feels like it may be an unnecessary risk to take?

@Jules131 The booster is not currently being offered routinely to pregnant women so you will not be invited unless you fall into one of the eligible groups - frontline health and social care workers; all those aged 16 to 49 years with underlying health conditions that put them at higher risk of severe COVID-19; adult carers; adult household contacts of immunosuppressed individuals; all adults aged 50 years or over; those living in residential care homes for older adults. I would recommend the Royal College of Obstricians and Gynaecologists website as a great source to check for any changes to this current guidance.

@ChannelJackieWeaver

Will pregnant women be offered the booster?

@ChannelJackieWeaver You can receive your booster vaccine if it's been 6 months since your second vaccine AND you fall within one of the eligible groups - frontline health and social care workers; all those aged 16 to 49 years with underlying health conditions that put them at higher risk of severe COVID-19; adult carers; adult household contacts of immunosuppressed individuals; all adults aged 50 years or over; those living in residential care homes for older adults. The booster is not currently being offered routinely to pregnant women and it has not been confirmed when or if this will be the case.

@MonetManet

If a vaccine uses a live version of the virus, such as the MMR vaccine, you'll usually be advised to wait until after your baby is born before you get vaccinated. Are the covid vaccines using a live version of the virus?

@MonetManet All the COVID-19 vaccines are inactivated vaccines (not live).

@Ukjahan

Which trimester is it safe to take booster vaccine? Please suggest. I have already finished my 2 covid vaccination and illegible for booster. Kindly let me know which booster is safe as well?

@Ukjahan If you are eligible for the booster vaccine (please see NHS website for eligible groups) then we would suggest getting it as soon as possible. Pregnant women will be offered either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine

@InvisibleDragon

I'm eligible to get a booster vaccine and flu vaccine through work (NHS). They are usually given together on the same day. Is this ok if you are pregnant, or would you recommend spacing them out?

@InvisibleDragon It's absolutely fine and safe to have both these vaccines at the same time and we would definitely encourage you to do so to give the best protection to you and your baby.

@damnthisvirusandmarriage

Is the jab safe for breastfeeding?

@damnthisvirusandmarriage Yes it is. The vaccine is recommended for breastfeeding women.

@lentilsforever

Is there a point in pregnancy when most effective to have the vaccine?

@lentilsforever No. We would recommend getting your vaccine as soon as possible to provide the best protection for you and your baby.

@jellybeanpopper

We've all hear about the data from the US, is there any information from the UK as pregnant women have been having the vaccine here since May?

We now have data from over 65,000 pregnant women in the UK who have had the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine. The findings are consistent with the data from the US - there have been no new safety concerns raised.

@mrshoho

Is it ok to get the first vaccine as late as 36 weeks or at this late stage is it safer to wait until after the birth? My relative was too anxious to get vaccinated but is now anxious because she hasn't had it.

@mrshohoes Yes, we would recommend getting the vaccine at any time in pregnancy. Women in their third trimester are particularly at risk from becoming unwell from the COVID-19 virus so I would really encourage her to consider getting the vaccine now. Please direct her to The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists website to answer any more questions she might have.

@ohdannyboy

I have had my first 2 and am due a booster in February, I WFH and do not actively socialise and feel my risk of contracting COVID is low, how long can I leave from the second vaccine and the booster for my immunity to be considered too low ?

@Tootle10 Yes. One study has demonstrated the vaccines confers protective immunity to newborns through breast milk and the placenta.

Sorry but this is a ridiculous response. I'm wondering how we know this specific vaccine is safe long-term for our babies and why we're being told it is when there's no children over 1 year old to observe. WHY are we being told it is safe? At one point 'we have many medications for various diseases with no long-term effects' would have been a usable response to a parent questioning thalidomide. I didn't ask about COVID outcomes at all. If this is really a Q&A and not just a space for pro vaccine propaganda then please actually answer my question.

@Derbee

How likely is it that pregnant women will be offered a Covid booster? Do you believe that pregnant women should be included in the groups that are eligible for a booster?

@Derbee At present the booster COVID vaccination is being offered to specific groups. People who are pregnant and in one of the eligible groups can also get a booster dose. Eligibility for the booster changes in response to new data, for the latest information on who is eligible for the booster and how you can access it, please visit: www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/coronavirus-booster-vaccine/

@Sandybeachtowel

Can flu like symptoms from the covid vaccine be harmful to you or baby during early pregnancy? Symptoms such as high temperature, aches and stomach pains. I have read that having a high temperature can increase risk of miscarriage.

@Sandybeachtowel Flu-like symptoms such as a high temperature, aches or stomach pains have not been shown to be harmful. However, it is important to differentiate what are the symptoms of COVID flu-like symptoms arising from a vaccine versus other obstetric or medical problems as this may be harmful if the problem is misdiagnosed. If you are worried, speak to your midwife or GP.

@Clementineapples

What are the long term effects?

Nobody knows so why risk it?

@Clementineapples We have evidence that contracting COVID can lead to immediate and long term health problems. Our experience with vaccines is reassuring, we have many vaccinations for various diseases and there have been no long term effects. COVID-19 vaccines are 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.

@fishnships

Do the benefits of the vaccine transfer to the baby?

@fishnships Yes. One study has demonstrated the vaccines confers protective immunity to newborns through breast milk and the placenta

@Nicola2182

Can we consider giving the vaccine as part of the first midwife appointment at around 8 weeks? And an information leaflet about the pros of having the vaccine to be sent with the appointment letter. I think the rate of acceptance would increase.

@Nicola2182 This is a brilliant suggestion. Thank you for suggesting this. I hope we can take this forward.

@ohdannyboy

I have had my first 2 and am due a booster in February, I WFH and do not actively socialise and feel my risk of contracting COVID is low, how long can I leave from the second vaccine and the booster for my immunity to be considered too low ?

@ohdannyboy The current guidelines advise a three month gap between your first and second dose, and a six month gap for the booster vaccination.

@amc8583

I have friends who have been told that if they are otherwise healthy and have a low risk pregnancy, they do not need the covid vaccine. However, I was told at my midwife appointment that if/when the booster programme opens up for pregnant woman, I should not hesitate to get it. (I am considered low risk). Who do we believe?

@amc8583 We would advise you to follow the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists guidelines for COVID and pregnancy. The advice is for all pregnant women to be vaccinated. I agree with your fabulous midwife, if/when the booster programme opens up for pregnant women that you should not hesitate to have it.

@LittleDeeAndME

I am confused about the number of vaccines which have been approved for use, and as far as I know the Oxford vaccine is no longer being offered and the Pfizer being the favoured vaccine - I had the Moderna - should I request this one for my booster or go for the Pfizer ? I would prefer the Moderna as this is already in 'my system' - is this the safest option please x

@LittleDeeAndME Both Moderna and Pfizer vaccines are safe to have during pregnancy. If you had the Moderna vaccine, then you will be offered the Moderna booster vaccination.

@Spoonio

Is there any data on what % of pregnant women in the uk have actually now had it, and have any side affects been recorded?

@Spoonio Data is continually collected. The data currently available shows that if a pregnant woman has the COVID-19 vaccine she is not at an increased risk of having adverse pregnancy outcomes. Research from across six studies in four countries, involving more than 40,000 pregnant women, shows having the vaccine does not increase the risk of miscarriage, preterm birth, stillbirth, nor does it increase the risk of a small-for-gestational age baby, or the risk of congenital abnormalities. We have seen that pregnant women who have had two vaccinations have not been so sick they have needed an intensive care admission because of COVID.

@JessieLongleg

I've read the phizer one is fine, protects baby, and prevents hospital stays for problems. Just worried about what week is safest and should I take paracetamol to lower body temperature.

@JessieLongleg We would recommend the earlier you are vaccinated the better, as this will protect you from contracting COVID during pregnancy. It takes several weeks after the administration of the vaccine to acquire immunity. Paracetamol is safe to use for a fever.

@Rosebud2016

Does having the vaccinations or booster during pregnancy provide a level of immunity for the baby too once born?

@Rosebud2016 One study has demonstrated the vaccines confer protective immunity to newborns through breast milk and the placenta.

@Montydoo

I have had my first two vaccines, do you recommend having the flu vaccine ahead of the Covid booster ? (I am due this in February 2022 - when cases seem to be at their highest). I don't really want two vaccines within my first trimester

@Montydoo I would recommend you have your flu vaccination as soon as it is available in your area. Do not delay this until your booster COVID vaccination is due.

@DinkyDaffodil

I had really bad side effects after my first covid jab (the astrazeneca) head fog, aching, feeling washed out - why did this happen - I feel poorly enough with morning sickness and cannot imagine feeling worse with thee booster - will this side effect happen with the Pfizer ? what are the %ages of differences in getting side effects from the covid vaccines in use.

@DinkyDaffodil I do not have a statistical answer for you. Most likely with your next COVID vaccination your symptoms will be milder. Paracetamol is safe to take for the symptoms. It might be worth noting that a change in guidance was announced on 9th Nov to allow people who received a first dose of AZ to receive their second dose of a different vaccine.