Oxford And Pfizer Covid Vaccines Can Now Be Given To Pregnant Women

Medical experts have now confirmed that both the Oxford-AstraZeneca and the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines can be administered to pregnant and breastfeeding women.

During a briefing at Downing Street earlier today, experts advised that women who expecting or still breastfeeding their babies should speak to their doctors before receiving the jabs in order to weigh up the benefits and risks.

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Individuals will then decide whether they want to have the inoculation upon advice from a medical professional. It was initially stated when the Pfizer vaccine was first approved earlier this month that the jab was not recommended for those pregnant and breastfeeding due to a lack of evidence "on a precautionary basis".

This advice has now been altered, with the press briefing explaining The Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine can be taken by pregnant women "when the potential benefits outweigh the risks," according to Dr June Raine, chief executive of the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency.

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Speaking at the briefing, Dr Raine explained: "Now that we have reviewed further data that has become available, the Commission on Human Medicines has advised that the vaccine can be considered for use in pregnancy when the potential benefits outweigh the risks, following an individual discussion with every woman.

"And as the Covid-19 vaccine AstraZeneca is the same, women should always be discussing benefits and risks of having the vaccine with their health professional, reaching a decision together based on individual circumstances, and women who are breastfeeding can now also be given the vaccine, subject to that individual discussion."

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Dr Raine added that the AstraZeneca vaccine, that was approved for use across the UK earlier today, had been assessed through a "thorough and scientifically rigorous review".

"We all know that we are facing one of the biggest threats to health, not only of the UK public but everyone around the world," she said.

"And as the UK regulator we take this very seriously indeed.

"These are difficult times for so many of us, but vaccines such as this one will have the potential to save many lives, and will see us come through.

"Having an effective vaccine is the best way to protect us, and may save tens of thousands of lives."

Topics: Pregnancy, Children, Babies, Coronavirus, Motherhood, Covid-19

Kimberley Bond

Kim is a journalist at Tyla, and has previously worked at the Evening Standard, Radio Times as well as several national newspapers. A showbiz obsessive and a television fanatic, Kim is particularly interested in celebrity gossip, A-list events and the latest releases on either the big or small screen. Contact her at [email protected]

@0xKimberley