The Maternity Department at Letterkenny University Hospital (LUH) is holding a pop-up vaccination clinic tomorrow for women who are attending antenatal appointments  and who haven’t received their Covid-19 vaccine yet.

Evelyn Smith, Director of Midwifery at the hospital said: “Guidance has changed on when women can get the COVID-19 vaccine while pregnant following new evidence. Women can get the Covid-19 vaccine at any stage of their pregnancy once they have had a discussion with a midwife or a member of the obstetric care team first.

“We are keen to make it as easy as possible for women to get their vaccine after they have had a discussion with their midwife. We usually arrange an appointment for the women to get their Covid-19 vaccination in the vaccination centre across the road. Tomorrow we are bringing the vaccination team to the Maternity Department at LUH to make it that bit easier.

“Most pregnant women who get the virus get mild to moderate symptoms. They give birth as planned and the risk of passing on COVID-19 to their baby is low. However, pregnant women are more likely to get very unwell and need treatment in intensive care than a woman who is not pregnant. The virus may also cause complications for the baby. For these reasons we encourage all women who are pregnant to get the Covid-19 vaccine.

“We are keen to make it as easy as possible for women to get the information they need to make their decision. The RCPI Institute of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, the Rotunda Hospital and the National Immunisation Advisory Committee have prepared a very useful guide called ‘Questions and Answers for pregnant or breastfeeding women about COVID-19 vaccination’ and I would encourage all pregnant women to read this to help them make up their minds on vaccination. The guide is available on saolta.ie.”