Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the number of pregnant women yet to receive a single dose of the covid-19 vaccine, what steps he is taking to help ensure that pregnant women are kept safe as covid-19 (a) infection rates increase and (b) restrictions lift.

On 19 April the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) updated their advice regarding pregnant women to reflect that they should be offered vaccination at the same time as non-pregnant women, based on their age and clinical risk group.

Our vaccine toolkits for local services, stakeholders, partners and employers cover information around any concerns pregnant women may have in order to reduce hesitancy. We have also sourced and shared case stories of women of childbearing age who have been vaccinated before, during or after pregnancy to reassure women. NHS England and NHS Improvement’s Chief Midwifery Officer and ‘media medics’ have made appearances on consumer and lifestyle media. And at a local level we have supported webinars and engagement sessions specifically focused on women’s vaccines concerns.

Women can also discuss any concerns with their general practitioner practice, maternity service or a healthcare professional at their vaccination appointment.