Why are GPs needing to work differently?

GPs, their teams, and patients have faced an extremely challenging time during the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite lockdown measures lifting the pandemic is still not over. Face-to-face contact has been limited across all NHS services to protect you and keep you safe from the risk of infection.

For more information, please see the ‘Why GPs need to work differently’ poster.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding Q&A page

Does the COVID-19 vaccine affect fertility?

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.

• Watch COVID-19 vaccine explainer video: Can it affect my fertility?

Vaccination during pregnancy, when trying to get pregnant or breastfeeding

Vaccination against COVID-19 is recommended in pregnancy. Studies have shown that hospital admission and severe illness from COVID-19 are more common in pregnant women (compared to those not pregnant), especially those in the third trimester of pregnancy, and that stillbirth and preterm birth is more likely (compared to pregnant women without COVID-19).

COVID-19 vaccines do not contain live coronavirus or any additional ingredients that are harmful to pregnant women or their babies. Other non-live vaccines (whooping cough and influenza) are safe for pregnant women and their unborn babies:

• If you are pregnant and have already had a first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine, you should continue with your second dose.
• If you are beginning your vaccination course, we will offer you an alternative vaccine to AstraZeneca. This is not due to safety concerns around AstraZeneca during pregnancy, there is just more data available for having the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines in pregnancy.

Women trying to become pregnant do not need to avoid pregnancy after vaccination and there is no evidence to suggest that COVID-19 vaccines will affect fertility or breastfeeding.

Below are links to information from the Royal College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists to help you make an informed choice about whether to have the COVID-19 vaccine in pregnancy. You can also discuss the benefits and risks of having the vaccine with your midwife or healthcare professional.

• Royal College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists information page and leaflet with information for pregnant women
• NHS information on Pregnancy and coronavirus
• Evidence on the safety of vaccines in pregnancy from the UK Teratology Information Service, part of Public Health England.

The COVID-19 vaccines available in the UK are effective and have an extremely good safety profile. They do not contain organisms that can multiply in the body, so they cannot infect an unborn baby in the womb.

• Watch Bristol GP, Dr. Geeta Iyer answer common questions on fertility and the vaccine

Fertility, Pregnancy and Breastfeeding from further questions page

I’m worried that the COVID-19 vaccine will affect my fertility?

There have been a lot of rumours that the vaccines could affect fertility but these are not true. Here’s why:

• There is no scientific process by which the vaccines could affect women’s fertility.
• Like all vaccines, the COVID-19 vaccines teach your body to fight the disease and to develop antibodies to do this. They do not have any ingredients that would affect fertility and the components leave the body within a few days.
• Claims of any effect of Covid-19 vaccination on fertility are speculative and not supported by any data, for example, there is no evidence to support the theory that immunity to the spike protein could lead to fertility problems.
• Most people who contract COVID-19 will develop the same antibodies that you get from the vaccine and there is no evidence of fertility problems after having had COVID-19.
• Many women who have had the COVID-19 vaccine have gone on to become pregnant.

It is standard practice for new medicines not to be recommended for pregnant women or those planning a pregnancy when they are first issued. Now that more data is available, the independent body responsible for assessing the safety of vaccines (the Joint Committee for Vaccinations & Immunisations) has updated its advice and says there is no need for women to delay pregnancy after having the vaccine.

• British Fertility Society: BFS & ARCS Covid-19 Vaccines & Fertility – British Fertility Society | BFS
• Royal Collect of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists: Coronavirus (COVID-19), pregnancy and women’s health (rcog.org.uk)

Can I have the vaccine if I’m pregnant or breastfeeding?

The COVID-19 vaccine is offered to pregnant women at the same time as the rest of the population, based on their age and priority group. If you have concerns, you should discuss the benefits and risks of having the vaccine with your midwife or healthcare professional and reach a joint decision based on your individual circumstances.

• If you have already had a first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine, you should continue with your second dose.
• If you are beginning your vaccination course, we will offer you an alternative vaccine to AstraZeneca. This is not due to safety concerns around AstraZeneca during pregnancy, there is just more data available for the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines in pregnancy.

If you are pregnant, you should book your first dose vaccine with your GP or at our Vaccination Centre @ UWE so you can be offered an alternative to AstraZeneca.

The COVID-19 vaccines available in the UK are effective and have an extremely good safety profile. They do not contain organisms that can multiply in the body, so they cannot infect an unborn baby in the womb.

Women trying to become pregnant do not need to avoid pregnancy after vaccination and there is no evidence to suggest that COVID-19 vaccines will affect fertility or breastfeeding.

Read more:

• Royal College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists: Coronavirus (COVID-19), pregnancy and women’s health (rcog.org.uk)

Help Us Help You

The whole health and care system in Bristol, Somerset and South Glos is facing pressure at the moment. #HelpUsHelpYou by choosing the right service for your needs. The local resources page on the Healthier Together website has all the info you need.

This video (Dr Peter Brindle on NHS pressures and using the right services) explains NHS pressures and the importance of using the right services.

Flu Vaccination: Who should have it this winter and why

This guidance explains how you can help protect yourself and your children against flu this winter. It includes information for children, eligible adults and pregnant women, and details why it’s very important for people at increased risk from flu, or who care for someone vulnerable, to have their free vaccination every year.