I’m pregnant, should I have the COVID-19 vaccine?

When you're awaiting the birth of your child, you want to feel in control. The coronavirus pandemic has added extra stress for pregnant women, so we wanted to find out how exactly the vaccine could help them.
 

We recently spoke with Ms Ferha Saeed, a leading consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist, to discuss who is most at risk of COVID-19, what the benefits of vaccination against COVID-19 are during pregnancy and how safe the vaccines are for pregnant women. Read on to find out.
 

Who should be receiving the vaccine? Who is at higher risk?

The following people are at a higher risk for COVID-19. Those who:

• work in healthcare
• have a pre-existing condition
• are pregnant
• are transplant recipients
• are undergoing treatment for cancer
• use dialysis
   

You are also at risk if you have:

• severe kidney disease
• a respiratory condition (for example, severe asthma)
• chest disease
• An immunocompromised disease.
   

Pregnant ladies with significant heart disease and those who are hospital clinicians are also within the higher risk group, frontline health workers or carers in residential homes.
 

Some ethnicities are more at risk than others, any conditions you may have has to be discussed with a clinician individually. If you're eligible for a vaccine, it's your choice whether to have it. Make sure you have a clear understanding of the risk you face in regards to COVID-19.
 

Is the covid-19 vaccine safe in pregnant women?

COVID-19 vaccines were not tested on pregnant women. Therefore, we are not sure if they work in pregnant women as they would do in non-pregnant women. However, there's no reason to believe that they will not protect pregnant women effectively. Similarly, the side effect profile will not be worse than the non-pregnant population.
 

We are still awaiting more information, and so pregnant women are not routinely offered the vaccine. However, The National Immunization Committee considers that there are potential benefits of vaccination for some pregnant women due to a high risk of exposure and a higher risk of medical conditions in general.
 

We only consider the vaccine for pregnant women when the benefits outweigh the risk. For example, flu is offered as a routine. If a pregnant woman has any questions, they should discuss this with their midwife.
 

What are the benefits of vaccination in pregnancy?

When you have an infection during pregnancy, especially at a late stage, women have a risk of severe disease. More than half of women are asymptomatic. If they have an underlying condition, vaccination reduces the risk of severe disease and a premature baby. Obviously, when you vaccinate, you don't get the infection, so you don't spread the disease.
 

There is a lack of safety data in breastfeeding, but there is no known risk at this time. People planning pregnancy can have a vaccine, they don't have to avoid pregnancy before or after vaccination. There is currently no evidence to suggest it would affect pregnancy. If you find out you're pregnant after the covid vaccine, it is fine for you to follow through with your pregnancy.
 

When can I get the vaccine?

It can be taken any time, but women may choose to not take it after the 12 weeks. It may be advised that women may try to delay vaccination in the 3rd semester to have it a little later.
 

What vaccines are recommended?

Both Pfizer and AstraZeneca vaccines are appropriate. We are waiting for more data for the low-risk population to be offered. Breastfeeding mothers who are vulnerable or frontline workers may be offered the vaccine at this time.
 

For further guidance during pregnancy, you may like to get in contact with a highly experienced consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist such as Ms Ferha Saeed . Click here to visit her profile today for information on appointment availability.