Bucks mums-to-be urged to seek professional advice over Covid jab concerns
Health officials are holding an online meeting to answer any concerns about vaccines for pregnant women
Last updated 28th Jan 2022
Pregnant women in Buckinghamshire who have concerns about coronavirus vaccinations are being urged to seek out professional advice if they have concerns.
Recent data shows across the UK, 96.3% of mums-to-be admitted to hospital with Covid-19 symptoms between May and October 2021 were unvaccinated.
Around 1 in 5 of those need to be delivered preterm to help them recover, and 1 in 5 of their babies need care in a neonatal unit.
Health officials in Bucks have told Greatest Hits Radio vaccines are safe, and people should speak to professionals if they have any concerns.
Heidi Beddall, Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust Director of Midwifery, said: "It is not a live vaccine, and therefore it's very similar to having the flu vaccine or the whooping cough vaccine in pregnancy.
"We've seen a number of women admitted to hospital severely unwell. Some of those requiring critical care and extremely early delivery in order to give them and their baby the best care possible. What we've seen during the Omicron wave is a significant increase in the number of women admitted to hospital with Covid-19, and we're also seeing an increase in the number of babies below three months old admitted to hospital.
"That makes me feel very concerned and very sad that we possible have preventable harm that is happening to pregnant women across Buckinghamshire. That is why I'm advocating and reaching out to women to encourage them to have the vaccination, because the potential to reduce harm is significant."
As well as discussing concerns with their midwife or doctor, mums-to-be with concerns can also visit the walk-in vaccine clinics at Wycombe and Stoke Mandeville Hospitals and get advice from specialists. Pregnant women are then supported to make their own choice about whether or not to get jabbed.
The NHS Trust is holding a webinar next Wednesday (2nd February), 5.30-6.30pm. Registrations are open online to speak to a panel of experts.