Released on: 10 June 2021
NCT has hosted a panel of expert clinicians to answer questions about the Covid-19 vaccine during pregnancy or when breastfeeding.
This information is being provided as the vaccine programme reaches younger women. Adults in England aged 25-29 are now able to book their Covid-19 vaccine so more pregnant and breastfeeding women are eligible.
The panel answered questions from NCT’s community about when to have the vaccine, the evidence on safety and the different types of vaccines. The session can be viewed on Youtube.
The panel included: Professor Jacqueline Dunkley-Bent, Chief Midwifery Officer in England; Dr Pat O’Brien, Vice President of the Royal College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists; Dr Gayatri Amirthalingam, Consultant Medical Epidemiologist in the Immunisation and Countermeasures Division at Public Health England; and Dr Pavan Minhas, Registrar in Obstetrics and Gynaecology.
Sarah McMullen, NCT’s Director of Impact and Engagement, who chaired the panel, said: “I’m very grateful to our fantastic panel for joining us for this important conversation about the Covid-19 vaccine.
"Understandably, our community has lots of questions and it is really helpful to hear first-hand from clinical experts. With the vaccination programme now open to younger age groups, many more women who are pregnant or breastfeeding want to understand the latest evidence and guidance.”
As well as answering questions, the panel shared links to reliable, evidence-based information to support women in their decision-making.
All of these links can be found on the NCT website, where there is further information about Covid-19 vaccination during pregnancy: https://www.nct.org.uk/pregnancy/coronavirus-and-pregnancy/can-i-get-covid-19-vaccine-if-im-pregnant
And for women who are breastfeeding: https://www.nct.org.uk/baby-toddler/coronavirus-and-your-baby/can-i-get-covid-19-vaccine-if-im-breastfeeding
