NHS Sheffield Clinical Commissioning Group (CGG) are encouraging pregnant women to have their first, second and booster vaccination.
New data from the UK Health Security Agency provides further evidence that the vaccines are safe for pregnant women. In people giving birth between January and August, 24,759 of whom were vaccinated, there was no difference in stillbirth rate between vaccinated and unvaccinated mothers.
Women are more likely to become very unwell if they catch covid-19 – with one in 5 of the most critically ill coronavirus patients being unvaccinated expectant mothers.
Kirsty Burdett is a pharmacist from NHS Sheffield CCG, she is also 22 weeks pregnant, she said: “I’ve just had my covid-19 booster vaccination to protect me and my baby from the virus. As a pharmacist I want to reassure you that the covid-19 vaccinations are safe for you to have when pregnant. I wouldn’t have had both doses and the booster if I thought there was any risk to myself or my baby.
“If you have any concerns about the vaccines, please speak to your midwife, GP or your local pharmacist who will be able to offer you advice and reassurance.”
The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and The Royal College of Midwives, have been clear that the covid vaccines are the best possible way pregnant women can protect themselves from the virus
Alun Windle, Chief Nurse and Covid Vaccination Lead at NHS Sheffield CCG, said: “We know that covid is dangerous for pregnant women. Data shows that of those pregnant women in hospital with covid, 98% are unvaccinated. This is a really sobering statistic. Around 84,000 pregnant women have had the jab in the UK which is encouraging but we know there are women out there that haven’t had the vaccine yet, we want to encourage them to come forward sooner, rather than later.”
It’s not too late to have your first dose if you’ve not had it yet. From next Monday, 6 December, the antenatal clinic at the Jessop Wing are offering pregnant women the chance to get their covid-19 and/or flu jab.
You don’t have to have an antenatal appointment, a pregnant woman can simply go along to the Antenatal Clinic in the Jessop Wing, Tree Root Walk S10 2SF, from 8.30am - 5.30pm Monday to Friday, to receive first or second vaccination, or the booster if they are 6 months post their second vaccination date.
You can also book covid-19 vaccination appointments online at www.nhs.uk/coronavirus-vaccination or by calling 119.
Pregnant women aged 40 and over, who are health or social care workers, or are in an at-risk group, are now also eligible for booster vaccines 6 months after their second dose. These can also be booked online.
You can watch a video of Kirsty speaking about the vaccine here.