For advice and information from the NHS on COVID-19 and pregnancy, please visit: Pregnancy and COVID-19 - NHS (www.nhs.uk)
To find out more about COVID-19 and how it is being handled in the Bailiwick, please visit: gov.gg/covid
Pregnancy, breastfeeding, fertility and COVID-19 vaccination
It's strongly recommended that you get vaccinated against COVID-19 if you're pregnant or breastfeeding.
If you're pregnant
If you're pregnant, it's important to get vaccinated to protect you and your baby. The antibodies your body produces in response to the vaccine can also give your baby protection against COVID-19.
You're at higher risk of getting seriously ill from COVID-19 if you're pregnant. If you get COVID-19 late in your pregnancy, your baby could also be at risk.
Evidence shows that most pregnant women with COVID-19 who need hospital treatment or intensive care in the UK have not been vaccinated.
If you're pregnant and have not had your first 2 doses yet, it's important to get your vaccinations by 30 June 2023.
It's safe to have the vaccine during any stage of pregnancy, from the first few weeks up to your expected due date. You do not need to delay vaccination until after you have given birth.
Getting vaccinated against COVID-19 reduces the risk of having a stillbirth.
There's no evidence COVID-19 vaccination increases the risk of having a miscarriage, pre-term birth or other complications in your pregnancy.
The COVID-19 vaccines do not contain any live viruses and cannot give you or your baby COVID-19.
They have been widely used during pregnancy in other countries and there have been no safety concerns. In the UK, over 100,000 pregnant women have been vaccinated.
Advice
You'll be able to discuss having a COVID-19 vaccine during pregnancy at your vaccination appointment.
You can also speak to a GP or your maternity team for advice. Info about GP surgeries can be found here: Doctors - States of Guernsey (gov.gg) and to contact your maternity team, please call the Hospital on 01481 220000 and ask for Maternity.
You can also find answers to commonly asked questions about COVID-19 and pregnancy from the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecology.
If you're breastfeeding
It's safe to get the COVID-19 vaccine if you are breastfeeding.
You cannot catch COVID-19 from the vaccines and cannot pass it to your baby through your breast milk.
Fertility and COVID-19 vaccination
There's no evidence the COVID-19 vaccines have any effect on your chances of becoming pregnant.
There's no need to avoid getting pregnant after being vaccinated.
There's also no evidence that the COVID-19 vaccines have any effect on male fertility.
Information:
More information
- COVID-19 vaccines side effects and safety
- GOV.UK: COVID-19 vaccine advice if you're pregnant, may get pregnant or are breastfeeding
- Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists: COVID-19 vaccines, pregnancy, breastfeeding and fertility
- British Society for Immunology: COVID-19 vaccine Q&A - fertility, pregnancy and breastfeeding
- The Lowdown: the COVID-19 vaccine, periods and fertility - your questions answered
