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COVID-19 Vaccination, Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Last Updated 22 April 2021

  • If you are pregnant and have questions about COVID-19 vaccination please talk to your midwife.
  • If you are pregnant and do not yet have a midwife please contact us: call our switchboard on 01874 622443 and ask to be put through to midwifery team for your home address.

The following information about COVID-19 vaccination, pregnancy and breastfeeding is from the website of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG).

Key messages

  • The latest advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) is that COVID-19 vaccines should be offered to pregnant women at the same time as the rest of the population, based on their age and clinical risk group. Women should discuss the benefits and risks of having the vaccine with their healthcare professional and reach a joint decision based on individual circumstances.
  • You should not stop breastfeeding in order to be vaccinated against COVID-19.
  • Women trying to become pregnant do not need to avoid pregnancy after vaccination and there is no evidence to suggest that COVID-19 vaccines will affect fertility.
  • Having a COVID-19 vaccine will not remove the requirement for employers to carry out a risk assessment for pregnant employees, which should follow the rules set out in this government guidance.
  • See the RCOG statement in response to change in guidance around the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine

Resources to help with decision making

If you are pregnant and have been offered a COVID-19 vaccine, the decision whether to have the vaccination is your choice. You may find the following resources helpful:

Information about your COVID-19 vaccination appointment in Powys

I already have a COVID vaccination appointment booked

Please ring the number in your appointment letter to request an appointment with the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine.

I have not yet received my invitation for COVID vaccination

We will invite everyone aged 18 and over by the end of July so please look out for your invitation letter. When you receive your invitation letter, please ring the number in your appointment letter to request an appointment with the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine.

You can also join our Reserve List and we may invite you for vaccination in the event of cancellations: Reserve Lists - Powys Teaching Health Board (nhs.wales). Our reserve list form offers you the opportunity to let our team know that you are pregnant.

I have previously declined my invitation for COVID vaccination but would like an appointment.

If you still have your invitation letter, please ring the number in your letter to request an appointment. Or you can complete our Priority Access Form so that our team can re-book you: Priority Access Forms - Powys Teaching Health Board (nhs.wales). Our Priority Access form offers you the opportunity to let our team know that you are pregnant.

I received the AstraZeneca vaccine for my first dose and have questions about my second dose

Although pregnancy increases the risk of clotting conditions, there is no evidence that pregnant women, those in the post-partum or women on the contraceptive pill are at higher risk of the specific condition of thrombosis in combination with thrombocytopenia after the AstraZeneca vaccine. Please go ahead with your second dose unless you had a severe adverse reaction, in which case please talk to your midwife or we have an enquiry form in the AstraZeneca section of our website.

Further Information

If you are pregnant and have questions about COVID-19 vaccination please talk to your midwife.

If you are pregnant and do not yet have a midwife please contact us: call our switchboard on 01874 622443 and ask to be put through to midwifery team for your home address.

Further information about COVID-19 vaccination, pregnancy and breastfeeding is available from the website of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG).

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