“Had I not had the vaccine, my risk of being admitted into hospital was extremely high” – Devon mum-to-be
Devon mum-to-be Tina Whitehouse has opened up about her experience of having the Covid jab and catching the virus in a short film.
Tina said: “For anyone in doubt about having the vaccine either before or during pregnancy. I would say I have managed to do both and my baby has grown happy and healthy.
“I would personally say, to protect yourself, to protect your baby, to have that vaccine.”
Tina had her first two vaccinations before falling pregnant with her second child. She had her booster in December and believes it kept her safe when she and her son caught COVID-19 in January. “Had I not had the vaccine my risks of being admitted into hospital were extremely high. The fact I had the vaccine, I truly believe, meant I was able to have mild symptoms and remain safe and well at home.”
The NHS and public health officials are urging other pregnant women to get vaccinated as new data reinforces previous findings on the safety of COVID-19 vaccines in pregnancy, particularly those who are younger or already considered to be clinically extremely vulnerable.
The latest data from UK Health Security Agency, which is responsible for public health protection, shows that vaccinated women who gave birth between January and October 2021 had a very similar low risk of stillbirth, low birthweight and premature birth compared to women who were not vaccinated in pregnancy.
Previous studies have shown the risk of being severely ill with coronavirus (COVID-19) is higher for unvaccinated women. Out of 235 pregnant women who were admitted to intensive care with COVID-19 between January and September 2021, none had received two doses of vaccine.
The latest UKHSA analysis also shows that women who had received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine during their pregnancy and gave birth between April and October 2021 were more likely to give birth without any of the reported adverse outcomes than women who had not been vaccinated in pregnancy (92.9% compared with 91.6%). This difference was more apparent in those aged 30 years and older.
NHS Devon’s deputy chief nurse Susan Masters said: “There is growing evidence indicating that if you are pregnant, you are at greater risk of becoming seriously ill with COVID-19, especially in late pregnancy.
“However the COVID-19 vaccines used in the UK are safe for pregnant women and are highly effective at preventing people from hospitalisation.
“I would urge all pregnant women to come forward and get their vaccine without delay. This is the best way to protect you and your baby.”
Where can I find out more?
- NHS advice on vaccine / pregnancy:
- Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists information sheet
- Video featuring University Hospitals Plymouth NHS trust acting Head of Midwifery Charlotte Wilton.
- Watch Plymouth teacher Christine describe being hospitalised with flu, shortly after catching COVID-19
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding webinar for women in Devon
