A number of organisations including the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, the Department of Health and Social Care and the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) have urged pregnant women to get vaccinated and take up their boosters, after misinformation about a change in guidance was spread widely on social media channels.
The plea came after thousands of twitter users shared posts that falsely claimed the UK Government had changed its guidance for pregnant and breastfeeding women. The posts were the result of a misinterpretation of an update to publicly available documents on the MHRA website.
The Department of Health and Social Care said:
Incorrect information about the Covid vaccine and pregnancy is spreading online.
Extensive data shows the vaccine is safe and highly effective for pregnant and breastfeeding women. Pregnant women will also be eligible for an autumn booster.
The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists said:
We have robust evidence that COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective in pregnancy. Pregnant women are more vulnerable of becoming seriously ill from COVID-19 infection, and this can lead to an increased risk of giving birth prematurely, and stillbirth.
All pregnant women will be eligible for an autumn booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, as pregnancy is included as a clinical risk group.
We urge all pregnant women to take up the offer of this booster, and for any pregnant women who have not yet been vaccinated to do so as soon as possible.
Links to resources for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding:
Information from the British Society for Immunology for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding can be found here.
Advice from the UK Government can be found here.
Should I get the COVID-19 Vaccine if I'm Pregnant? - a video produced by the University of Glasgow can be found here.