Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether it is his Department's policy that pregnant women are vulnerable to covid-19 and should shield.

Only individuals considered clinically extremely vulnerable are advised to shield. Pregnancy does not on its own make a woman clinically extremely vulnerable. When shielding advice is in place, pregnant women should only follow this advice if they have a condition that meets the definition of clinically extremely vulnerable or following consultation with their general practitioner or hospital specialist.

The majority of pregnant women are considered clinically vulnerable, meaning that they face a moderate risk of serious illness if they contract COVID-19. This is because pregnant women can sometimes be more at risk from viruses like flu. Those in the clinically vulnerable category are not required to shield and should follow the rules that are in place for everyone. It is particularly important for them to follow social distancing advice, to reduce their risk of catching the virus.