Breastfeeding and COVID vaccination

[Peanut5]

I’m breastfeeding my LO and booked in to have my first vaccine but I’m really nervous. I know WHO and Breastfeeding Network recommend getting it but has anyone had it and have experience to share please? Which one did you get ? Worried FTM. Thanks in advance.

[roxannacar]

I had Pfizer X2. First one baby was 3m second 6m. No issues what so ever with baby. I was a bit sore and tired with second.

[Peanut5 in reply to roxannacar]

Thanks so much for replying. Did you get to choose ure vaccine? X

[roxannacar in reply to Peanut5]

Nope I didn't, it was what happened to be available. I doubt they will give you a choice unless pregnant/under 30/ have a health condition. Worth asking tho.

[Peanut5 in reply to roxannacar]

Thanks so much

[Seb9 in reply to Peanut5]

I phoned my GP surgery and they were able to book me in for a clinic that would have the Pfizer vaccine on that particular day. So maybe call your surgery and ask them to book you in for the one you want. The AZ one still has a smaller chance of clotting issues than taking the combined contraceptive pill so I wouldn't turn it down if you are offered it 😁

[Hidden in reply to roxannacar]

You can’t choose vaccines anywhere but can ask what it will be and not book if you don’t want that one. I know absolutely loads of health care workers who all got them whilst breast feeding and no issues. Similarly most health care workers I know who are pregnant happily got them before the advice changed to say you should. Hope you make a decision you are happy with 😊

[Peanut5 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks... I’m assuming a lot got the AZ one?

[Hidden in reply to Peanut5]

Everyone I know got Pfizer because it was Dec/jan and AstraZeneca didn’t exist then!

[hifer]

Good news you’re having the vaccine. A friend went yesterday who’s breastfeeding and they only had AZ which they wouldn’t give to her so sent her to another clinic to get the Moderna. X

[Peanut5 in reply to hifer]

Thanks so you know why they wouldn’t give AZ? Was it her age? X

[hifer in reply to Peanut5]

No- because she was breastfeeding (and the link between AZ and blood clots as incredibly small as it is). You will be fine to get the vaccine but probs won’t get AZ one.

[Peanut5 in reply to hifer]

That’s very strange as AZ is cleared for us in breastfeeding according to WHO and RCOG 🤷‍♀️ Glad she managed to get one tho. Thanks for the reply

[hifer in reply to Peanut5]

Probs depends on clinic and part of the country! Some pregnant women I’ve seen on forums have been advised by their midwives not to get the vaccine which shocks me. My hospital in central London couldn’t be more pro getting the vaccine for pregnant women because of the risks in 3rd trimester. Good luck x

[Peanut5 in reply to hifer]

Yes that’s probably true. Wow I’m shocked at that. Glad ure hospital is being proactive. Thanks again x

[roxannacar in reply to hifer]

Pregnancy is high risk for clots, breastfeeding isn't, once 6 weeks have passed post natal the risk goes down, hence why you can have the combined pill whilst breastfeeding.

[Flora631 in reply to hifer]

Was that in the Uk? They didn’t say anything to me at all.... I had AZ and have been fine. In hindsight I wish my partner and I had been done on separate days as we both felt v tired afterwards

[hifer in reply to Flora631]

Was this directed at me? Sorry few comments on this thread now... If so, then yes it was in the UK- London x

[Salwakay]

Im having my first dose on Friday and I am 9 months pregnant Should be fine x

[Peanut5 in reply to Salwakay]

Thank you hope yours goes well and congratulations on your pregnancy

[BristolLady]

Hi All, booked in for my first dose Sunday. It’s at a regional mass vac centre. I thought on the booking form there would be the chance to state I was pregnant, but there wasn’t. I’ve tried to follow up by email to find out what vaccine, but no reply.

Will be a little annoyed to find out it’s only AZ, especially it’s 20miles away, I wish this was more transparent! (still, my husband had Moderna at another regional testing centre so maybe that’s what I can expect)

Good luck all!

[Seb9 in reply to BristolLady]

Can you rebook your appointment through your GP surgery? The receptionist at mine was able to book me in for a place that has the Pfizer jab in on the day I'm going. I thought it was odd when trying to book online that you couldn't put the you were pregnant. So was really glad when I phoned them that they made it so simple, I've got mine in the morning 😁

[Suefb1]

These vaccines are still in the experimental stage and are only authorised under emergency use and full use will not be granted until 2023 when all trials are complete.

[Seb9 in reply to Suefb1]

It's standard practice to continue vaccine monitoring after its approval so there's nothing strange that monitoring will continue for a few years. These vaccines have gone through the same trials and tests as every other vaccine, just because of the severity and economic impact of Covid it's been rapidly produced with no restrictions on funding etc and agencies working together etc 😊

[Suefb1]

These are novel vaccines with no long term safety data, no matter what the trials or tests, the long term safety has not been established, and the approval for them was granted for emergency use.

[Seb9 in reply to Suefb1]

In your opinion then what long term effects of the vaccine would be more severe say than the long term effects of Covid 19? From what I've researched the actual vaccine ingredients are very quickly removed from your body so they aren't there to do anything long term.

The results from the vaccine to me so far look great, it lowers rate of deaths, lowers the rate of hospital admissions, very few severe side effects lasting longer than a few days, showing to reduce transmission etc with the amount of people that have currently had it worldwide, it's looking really successful to me already,but would be interested in why you have you view on it.

[Suefb1]

Long term effects of the vaccines are as yet unknown, so no one can offer an opinion as nobody knows.

Maybe research the official Government MHRA vaccine site to look at the figures for side effects from minor, expected reactions, right through to severe and fatal, also add in the fact that not all adverse affects are actually recorded, so the figures will be even higher than shown. If you want extend you research further, you can check out the adverse figures world wide.

Whilst the vaccines do appear to lower death rates and hospital admissions, the majority of those at risk from severe illness and death from Covid are over the age of 82 years with multiple co morbidities. The risk reduces dramatically in younger people, infact the risk to benefit ratio for younger people is higher from the vaccine than it is from the virus, hence why the AZ and Johnson vaccines are no longer offered to younger people.

Your research will also have shown that vaccination does not give full protection from the virus, nor does it prevent you from transmitting it, they where never designed to prevent either, they where made to reduce death and hospital admissions in those vulnerable to the worst effects of the virus, and given that younger people very rarely suffer those effects, it is questionable what benefit they would gain, especially when the long term effects are not yet known.

I am not offering opinions, just facts to encourage people to look further and decide base decisions on their risk.