Easy-read guide on COVID-19 vaccination for women who might get pregnant, who are pregnant or are breastfeeding their baby
Updated 2 December 2021
Applies to England
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Pregnancy
The coronavirus vaccine has had lots of tests to make sure it is safe.
If you are pregnant, you should have two doses of coronavirus vaccine to protect you and your baby. The vaccines cannot give you or your unborn baby the coronavirus infection.
The coronavirus vaccine is given in two jabs. If you had the first jab before getting pregnant, you can go ahead and have the second jab providing you didn’t have any serious side effects to the first jab.
The Pfizer and Moderna coronavirus vaccines are preferred for women who are pregnant. If you have had your first jab with Astrazeneca, you can have this for your second jab, but talk to your doctor or nurse first about the risk of blood clots.
Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding is really good for you and your baby.
Experts on the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) say that you can have the vaccine while you are breastfeeding. The World Health Organization (WHO) also agree that breastfeeding women can have the vaccine.
If you have had your baby you should have your vaccines as soon as possible.
Planning a pregnancy
It is safe for you to get pregnant after you have had the vaccine.