GPs must ensure all pregnant women are aware they are eligible for Covid autumn boosters as there will be no national invitations for the group, NHS England has said.
It comes as pregnant women were targeted in a Covid vaccine misinformation campaign last month, which saw a post shared widely on Twitter incorrectly stating that the Government had quietly removed approval for Covid vaccines in pregnant and breastfeeding women.
NHS England has already contacted millions of those who are eligible for Covid boosters this autumn and invited them to book an appointment to receive their jab.
But in a letter sent to GPs last week, it said that ‘due to limitations in the timeliness of national data on maternity, there will be no national call/recall system for pregnant women to receive their booster against Covid-19’.
It added: ‘Local services must therefore ensure that all pregnant women are informed of their eligibility, as part of routine care.’
It reiterated that GPs should encourage pregnant women to take up the offer of vaccination against Covid-19, flu and pertussis this autumn ‘at every opportunity’.
Pregnant women have been able to book their Covid booster jabs as of last month through the national booking system.
They are also eligible to receive vaccination against flu, as part of the programme that began on 1 September, and pertussis (or whooping cough).
NHS England’s letter added that the Covid vaccines or booster can be given at the same time as the flu or whooping cough vaccine, although services ‘should not delay providing any one vaccine in order to provide them together’.
It also said that pregnant women getting their Covid and flu vaccinations together from their local GP ‘should be supported wherever requested’, dependent on local services’ participation in the vaccination programmes.
In July, the Government accepted JCVI advice that Covid-19 boosters should be offered this autumn to all persons aged 5 to 49 years in a clinical risk group – including pregnant women – because they are at higher risk of severe Covid-19 infection in the winter.
UK studies have demonstrated that symptomatic Covid-19 in pregnancy is linked to a two to threefold increased risk of pre-term birth, and an increased rate of stillbirth.
Don’t get me wrong on this note.
But, Jaimie and Pulse need to have a look at their headlines, and click bait approach. The “must”, “should” and “warn” littered on the headers is being construed as winding professionals up, successfully or not, which needs a constructive look at and ownership and change or tact.
If only there was a health care professional who regularly meets with pregnant woman throughout their pregnancy, perhaps someone who just looked after pregnant people, who can guide them as to what health interventions are recommended.