Pregnant women have been made a priority group to receive the first, second, and booster Covid jabs by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) watchdog, after research found infection can cause serious illness and pregnancy complications.
The decision comes after research from the University of Oxford showed that women in the later stages of pregnancy and their babies were at an increased risk of harm if they became infected with coronavirus.
Women who develop symptomatic Covid-19 have an increased risk of premature labour or stillbirth. And, concerningly, the latest data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) shows that only a fifth of the women who gave birth in August were actually vaccinated.
Additionally, research has shown that pregnant women have become more at risk with every new wave of the pandemic. So, now really is the time to get jabbed.
Is the vaccine safe for pregnant women?
In a rod, yes. Professor Wei Shen Lim, chair of JCVI Covid-19 immunisation says there is no evidence of a link between vaccination and miscarriage, congenital abnormalities, stillbirths, or birth complications.
‘Having a UK approved Covid-19 vaccine is safer than having Covid-19 itself,’ he said. ‘Women who are pregnant are strongly encouraged to have a first, second or booster vaccine dose as appropriate in order to better protect yourself and your baby from any serious consequences.’
Meanwhile, Dr Gayatri Amirthalingam from UKHSA added: ‘We know that the vaccines used in the UK COVID-19 vaccination programme have been highly effective in preventing serious complications and those recommended for pregnant women have a good safety record.
‘I would urge all pregnant women to come forward and get their vaccine without delay. This is the best way to protect you and your baby.’
Is it easy to get an appointment online?
Despite being made a priority group, many pregnant women have still struggled to book in for a Covid jab. 'I had my second jab in August, so was eligible for my booster,’ Jess Barrett, who is almost 30 weeks pregnant, told Grazia. ‘But when I checked on the usual booking site I was being offered appointments as late as Jan 15th.
‘I noticed that although I was being told that I was being "prioritised" for the jab, that was a moot point if there was nowhere on the website to state that you're pregnant, you're offered the same wait time as everyone else,’ she explained.
‘I contacted my GP's surgery, who found me an appointment at their weekend vaccination clinic within 48 hours, so would advise other pregnant women who are worried about waiting to do the same.'
What is the professional medical advice?
Dr G Worsdall, a GP in Bath and Somerset, agreed with the tactic of contacting your doctor directly and noted that individual practises can often be accommodating with their waiting lists.
'A very sensible place to start would be to ring your GP and see if you can be added in to one of those lists,' he said. 'Many are flexible organisations and they should be aware of the pregnancy and able to respond.
'Our surgery is injecting this weekend and throughout next week. It is frantic but useful if we can protect people and avoid imposed restrictions, which have been so destructive -especially to the vulnerable.
'Sadly, the human cost of restrictions has not always been immediately apparent.'
Grazia have contacted NHS England for further information and are still awaiting a response. UKHSA declined to comment on 'operational' vaccine enquiries.
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