Covid-19 vaccine advice for pregnant women on the Island

Mothers-to-be eligible for autumn booster 

Pregnant women on the Isle of Man are being reminded that they are eligible for the Covid-19 Autumn booster vaccination.

Manx Care is advising mothers-to-be to discuss the risks and benefits of vaccination with their GP or Midwife, with those at an increased risk of severe outcomes from Covid to have the booster when offered.

Breastfeeding women are only eligible for the Autumn booster at this time if they fall into another of the clinical risk categories. 

This advice is in line with guidance from the UK Government's Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI). 

Manx Care says extensive real-world data has shown that vaccines are safe and highly effective for pregnant women.

They say vaccines represent the best way to help protect against severe Covid-19 infection in pregnancy for both women and babies, including admissions of women to intensive care, and cases of premature birth. Some women who are pregnant may be considered to be at greater risk of severe illness due to Covid-19 infection, and most pregnant women admitted to hospital with Covid-19 are unvaccinated. This is why pregnancy was recognised in December 2021 as a Covid-19 vaccine clinical risk category. 

Manx Care says there is also no evidence that Covid-19 vaccines affect fertility in males or in females. There is some helpful information on the website of the British Fertility Society. 

They are encouraging unvaccinated women who become pregnant to come forward for Covid-19 vaccination, and women who are pregnant and have previously been vaccinated to come forward for an Autumn booster dose. 

Pregnant women who decide to have a vaccination are asked to phone 111 to book and advise the team they are pregnant so that appropriate bookings can be made. 

The Maternity Unit can be contacted on 01624 650030 if you have any questions about the vaccine.