Vaccination is recommended to all pregnant women
In December 2021, the Joint Committee on Vaccine Immunisation (JCVI) advised that pregnant women should be prioritised for vaccination alongside other groups at high risk from COVID-19.
Information should be given to ensure women are aware of the risks COVID-19 presents to them and their baby and to enable them to make an informed decision.
Why it’s important
Pregnant women are at increased risk of severe effects of COVID-19 infection, especially in the third trimester (after 28 weeks).
COVID-19 infection in pregnancy increases the risk of pre-term birth, pre-eclampsia and stillbirth, especially if the mother is infected during the third trimester or at the time of birth.
Safety
COVID-19 vaccines can be given safely at any trimester of pregnancy.
In the UK, over 100,000 pregnant women have been vaccinated so far with no adverse effects on pregnancy or pregnancy outcomes.
Doses
Pregnant women should have two doses 8 weeks apart, followed by a booster vaccination 3 months after their second dose. The recommended vaccines in pregnancy are Pfizer or Moderna.
Fertility/Breastfeeding
COVID-19 vaccines should be recommended to women trying to conceive, and when breastfeeding. There’s no evidence that vaccines affect fertility.
The vaccines are also safe for breastfeeding women. Maternal antibodies from COVID-19 vaccines transfer to the baby through the placenta or breastmilk and provide passive immunity for the baby.
Downloads
Bradford Case Study (Anniree Muir) (PDF, 95KB)
Further Information Resources (PDF, 129KB)