I am often asked, including by my own Jewish community, if the vaccine is safe in pregnancy. Senior doctors from across the health system strongly recommend Covid vaccination in pregnancy.
We know there are higher risks to mother and baby of having Covid whilst pregnant. Mothers-to-be have greater risk of serious illness with higher rates of intensive care admissions.
Most pregnant women admitted to hospital with severe Covid are unvaccinated. For the baby, there is twice the risk of stillbirth and preterm birth with infection in pregnancy. Pregnant women with underlying clinical conditions are at even higher risk of complications from Covid.
Vaccination is the safest way for women to protect themselves and their babies against severe disease. The vaccines do not contain live virus so cannot infect a mother or baby and do not contain ingredients known to be harmful in pregnancy.
Pregnant women across the world have had a vaccine without raising safety concerns. Women can have a vaccine when trying to conceive, or if breastfeeding.
There is no evidence the vaccine affects fertility in women or men. With Omicron being more resistant to current vaccines it is even more important all of us, including pregnant women, get a booster to increase protection. Every dose counts.
Dr Leonora Weil, Public Health Consultant COVID response, London Operations Team, Office for Health Improvement and Disparities
For more information see COVID-19 vaccines, pregnancy and breastfeeding (rcog.org.uk) and COVID-19 vaccination: a guide on pregnancy and breastfeeding- UKHSA
