Should you get the COVID-19 vaccination

Deputy Chief Public Health Officer of South Australia discusses the COVID-19 vaccine for women who are planning pregnancy, currently pregnant or breastfeeding.

The information below is available on the Australian Department of Health COVID-19 vaccine factsheet, and the World Health Organisation COVID-19 factsheet, and is shared here to help you to decide whether you should have a COVID-19 vaccine. If you have any questions, ask your immunisation provider, doctor or midwife.

If you are pregnant

ACT Health do not routinely recommend COVID-19 vaccine in pregnancy. If you are pregnant, it’s important you speak to your healthcare provider to consider the potential benefits or risks of getting the COVID-19 vaccine. If you have an increased risk of being exposed to COVID-19, or of having severe illness, you should consider having a COVID-19 vaccine during pregnancy.

You can choose to have a COVID-19 vaccine at any time during pregnancy. Your immunisation provider can help you to decide the best time. For more information read the COVID-19 vaccination decision guide for women who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning pregnancy on the Australian Government Department of Health website.

Check out this great video from Dr Nick Coatsworth, Executive Director, Medical Services Canberra Health Services

If you are breastfeeding

If you are breastfeeding you can receive Comirnaty (Pfizer) or COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca at any time. You do not need to stop breastfeeding before or after vaccination. There is no evidence that breastfeeding women have an increased risk of developing complications that affect their pregnancy or their baby’s health.

If you are planning pregnancy

If you are planning a pregnancy, you can receive Comirnaty or COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca. You do not need to avoid becoming pregnant before or after vaccination. Vaccination does not affect fertility. There is no evidence that women who become pregnant after being vaccinated against COVID-19 have an increased risk of developing complications that affect their pregnancy or their baby’s health.

COVID-19 Vaccination FAQs

What is the difference between the Pfizer vaccine and the AstraZeneca vaccine?
Do COVID-19 vaccines cause infertility?
Can I choose the COVID-19 vaccine I receive?
If I've already had COVID-19 do I still need to get vaccinated?
Are there any side effects?
Is it safe for me to get the COVID-19 vaccine if I have an underlying medical condition?

Find out more via the ACT Health website

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