What Hartlepool's hospital trust says about pregnant women and the Covid-19 vaccine

North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust says it backs the latest advice from the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists that the jab can be administered to mums-to-be women if they are at very high risk from infection.

While pregnant women are not offered the vaccines as a matter of routine, those who are health or social care workers, or who have an underlying high-risk health condition, may be asked if they wish to have the vaccine.

The trust says research so far indicates that there is no risk to pregnant women or the unborn child.

Steve Wild, consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist at the Trust, said: “Research trials testing the vaccine in pregnant women are getting underway, but so far, there is no evidence to indicate that the vaccine is a risk to the pregnant woman or her unborn child.

“Right now, if you are pregnant, eligible for, and have been offered a Covid-19 vaccine, it is at your discretion whether you have it or not after discussing it with your doctor or midwife’.”

“While, at the present time we don’t encourage the vaccine for every pregnant woman, I would certainly have that conversation with any patient of mine if I felt the risks of not being vaccinated outweighed the likely benefits of having it.”

Steve is encouraging pregnant women to read the information on the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists website at www.rcog.org.uk

And for more information see: https://www.rcog.org.uk/globalassets/documents/guidelines/2021-02-24-combined-info-sheet-and-decision-aid.pdf

Support your Mail and become a subscriber today. Enjoy unlimited access to local news, the latest on Pools and new puzzles every day. With a digital subscription, you can see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Click here to subscribe.