Pregnant women are more likely to get severe COVID-19 symptoms
Recent evidence shows that pregnancy may increase the risk of developing severe symptoms of COVID-19, which can lead to complications with pregnancy.
Studies show having the COVID-19 vaccine during pregnancy is safe
Studies have shown having the COVID-19 vaccine during pregnancy is safe and significantly reduces the risk of serious illness or harm to pregnant women.
If you are pregnant, or planning a pregnancy, it is important to have the COVID-19 vaccine.
Data from the large number of pregnant people worldwide who have already had their COVID-19 immunisation shows that there are no extra safety concerns with giving COVID-19 vaccines during pregnancy.
Immunising during pregnancy may also help protect your baby. There is evidence that infants can get antibodies to the virus through cord blood and breast milk.
You can see more information about COVID-19 vaccination in pregnancy at the NZ College of Midwives website.
You can have the COVID-19 vaccine at any stage of pregnancy
If you're pregnant, you can get a COVID-19 vaccine at any stage of your pregnancy. You can book your immunisation now.
If you have already had the first 2 doses of the Pfizer vaccine, you can have a booster dose at least 3 months after your second dose. This will help protect you and your baby from the effects of COVID-19. You can have the booster dose at any stage of pregnancy.
Talk to your midwife, obstetrician, or GP about the timing of your booster dose.
You can talk to your healthcare professional
If you have any questions or concerns, talk about them with your healthcare professional.
Remember to have other important vaccines during pregnancy
As well as having the COVID-19 vaccine, remember to also have the flu vaccine and whooping cough vaccine. You can have the flu vaccine and COVID-19 vaccine at any stage of pregnancy, and whooping cough vaccine from 16 weeks of pregnancy. You can have them at the same time or separately.
Check out the immunisation advisory centre website for information on recommended and funded vaccines during pregnancy.
Brochure in Samoan and Tongan
Videos on having the COVID-19 vaccine in pregnancy
A video featuring Karaponi Okesene-Gafa, obstetrician and gynaecologist and Shekinah Gafa, midwife. The video aims to encourage all Pasifika mamas to get the COVID vaccine.
Source: Health NZ | Te Whatu Ora
This video is from the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG). He Hono Wāhine, Māori Fellows and the Aotearoa New Zealand office have joined together to produce this video targeting wāhine Māori who are hapū, promoting safe vaccination for hapū māmā.
Source: RANZCOG
An animated video, Aotearoa e te toa, about COVID-19 vaccination and pregnancy.
Source: Health Navigator
Dr Michelle Wise FRANZCOG, along with other colleagues in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at FMHS, University of Auckland, and obstetricians around Aotearoa, answer common questions about the COVID-19 vaccine and pregnancy.
Source: University of Auckland
