Get Covid jab, new mothers and pregnant women urged
VACCINE SAFE FOR WOMAN AND HER BABY
HEALTH, pregnancy and fertility experts are urging all pregnant women, those who are hoping to become pregnant and new mums who have yet to have either their first or second dose to get their Covid vaccines.
Recent data from the UK Obstetric Surveillance Service showed the overwhelming majority of pregnant women hospitalised with coronavirus have not been vaccinated.
In a bid to raise awareness locally and reduce Covid rates in pregnancy and in new mums across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland, experts have filmed a short video which answers the most frequently asked questions about pregnancy and vaccines.
It also addresses some of the more common misconceptions about the vaccines.
Caroline Trevithick, executive director of nursing, quality and performance at the Leicester, Leicestershire, and Rutland clinical commissioning groups, said: “The virus is still a very real concern and can be devasting to pregnant women and babies. We want local mums and young families to know that by having both Covid-19 vaccinations they are giving themselves the best protection from becoming seriously ill and suffering potentially serious complications.
“It is imperative that both doses are taken to provide maximum protection.
“Studies have shown that having the Covid-19 vaccination during pregnancy has proven to be safe for both mums and their babies.
“Getting fully vaccinated during pregnancy will mean that antibodies are passed to the baby, helping to them to build some immunity to the virus.”
Vivienne Robbins, consultant in public health at Leicestershire County Council, said: “Recent Covid infection rates across Leicestershire are some of the highest we’ve seen throughout the pandemic.
“Highly transmissible variants such as the Delta variant are still affecting people, including pregnant women.
“So it’s imperative we support our women to access information about the Covid-19 vaccines and encourtheir age them to get vaccinated in order to protect them and their babies.”
Floretta Cox, community midwifery matron at the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, said: “Throughout their pregnancies women will routinely have a number of vaccines, including whooping cough and the flu.
“Much like these vaccines, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has reviewed the latest data and has recommended that pregnant women in the UK should be offered the PfizerBioNTech or Moderna vaccines.
“The Covid-19 vaccines will not adversely affect either a pregnant woman, a new mum or anyone hoping to get pregnant as the vaccine does not impact male or female reproductive organs.
“Nor do the vaccines contain any live virus, animal products or eggs.”
For more information about Covid vaccines and fertility or during pregnancy and visit:
Anyone in Leicester, Leicestershire or Rutland aged 16-plus who has not yet been vaccinated against Covid-19, or who has not had their second dose, can find out how to get their jab by visiting:
bit.ly/GetVaxxedLLR The information video can be viewed at: