NHS midwife counselling and vaccination service to launch in Surrey
Royal Surrey Hospital says it wants to show pregnant women how safe the Covid-19 vaccine is
Last updated 18th Jan 2022
In Surrey, a midwife counselling and vaccination service is being launched next week (25th January), to provide 1-2-1 information and advice for women still unsure about being vaccinated against Covid-19 during pregnancy.
Pregnant women are being urged to get their vaccinations - including the booster - after data suggests that those who catch the virus are twice more likely to suffer complications, such as pre-term birth or even stillbirth.
Through the free service, patients will be able to speak to a health professional for information about Covid-19 vaccinations in pregnancy, and have the vaccine - should they decide to - on the same day.
Consultant in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Dr Caroline Everden, from Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust, told us the service has been created amid existing concerns from pregnant women about wether the vaccine is safe for them and their babies:
"Across Surrey, we know there are women who need the time to talk through and consider whether they have their COVID vaccination. And that's been recognised by the creation of a post of a specialist midwife who will be working across multiple trusts to offer that service to women.
"Our specialist COVID vaccination midwife will be working from both our Guilford and Cranley hubs to provide counselling appointments. And if women choose to go ahead with vaccination, they can have their injection the same day."
When asked if there's ever a time during pregnancy when taking the vaccine can be harmful for the mother or the baby, Dr Caroline Everden reassures the vaccine is safe at any stage in pregnancy:
"When we were first working with this vaccine, there was some advice to not be vaccinated in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. And that led to some concerns. We now have great safety data that shows us you can be vaccinated at any stage in pregnancy or when you are breastfeeding.
"Especially at the start of this pandemic, it was a very difficult choice for women on whether to get vaccinated. We've now had over 270,000 women in the UK in the US who have been vaccinated, and there is clear safety data to show that the vaccine is safe. And it significantly reduces the risk to women into their babies."
There's still a significant group of people within the local area who have chosen not to be vaccinated, and data across the region shows that unvaccinated people are substantially more likely to need hospital treatment if they contract Covid-19, as Dr Everden explains:
"There are background rates of COVID in the community at the moment that are very high. Last week, one in 15 people in the UK were COVID positive. So your chances of avoiding infection, if you're not vaccinated, are quite low. We would encourage everyone to get their vaccination to reduce their risk and the risk to their families.
"The risk of COVID-19 in pregnancy is far far greater. And we need to reduce those risks for our pregnant women and their babies."
Speaking about the new service available from next week, Dr Everden added:
"If there is any woman out there with questions or concerns about the vaccine, speak to a midwife, or come and speak to your obstetrician. We want to share with you the very impressive safety data about how safe this vaccine is and how it can keep you and your baby safe during your pregnancy.
"We're not here to judge - we don't mind if you've not had your first dose, if you've not had your booster. We just want the opportunity to have that conversation with you."
For more information about the midwife counselling and vaccination service, available from the 25th January, at the Royal Surrey Hospital and Cranleigh maternity hub, visit the Royal Surrey Hospital website.