12 September 2022

The covid vaccination is considered safe and is recommended for pregnant women by the Royal College of Obstetricians, Royal College of Midwives and the UK Teratology Service while the independent JCVI confirms the jab has been shown to be effective and safe for pregnant women.

Unfortunately, pregnant women have been getting inconsistent advice on whether vaccination is safe during pregnancy from some health professionals.

We, therefore, urge all health professionals to read and follow the RCOG and RCM guidance so that pregnant women get the best care, in this case, the vaccination.

Nearly 20 per cent of the most critically ill covid patients (as of October 2021) are pregnant women who have not been vaccinated.

The Royal College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists and the Royal College of Midwives are clear in their advice to pregnant women to have the COVID-19 vaccine. 

Asma Khalil, Professor of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine at St George's University Hospital and clinical lead at the Twins Trust Centre of Research and Clinical Excellence, said: “There is now a large amount of evidence that this vaccine is safe in pregnancy, for both mother and babies.

“And we know that when a woman gets COVID-19 in pregnancy, she is twice as likely to become critically ill, compared to a woman who is not pregnant. And her baby is twice as likely to be born prematurely - something that twins and multiple pregnancies are already at increased risk of.”

Shauna Leven, CEO of Twins Trust said: “It is understandable that pregnant women have questions about vaccinations.

“At Twins Trust we would urge health professionals to read and follow the RCOG and RCM guidance and for women expecting twins, triplets or more to talk about any concerns they may have with their multiple birth midwife or consultant who will be able to guide them on the safety and offer reassurance.”

The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and the Royal College of Midwives have both recommended vaccination as one of the best defences for pregnant women against severe COVID-19 infection.