PREGNANT women who have received their Covid-19 jab are urging others to do the same, to protect themselves and their babies.

The NHS in Oxfordshire is offering reassurance to women that they can have their Covid-19 vaccine, while trying to get pregnant, are pregnant, or breastfeeding.

The NHS has said it will not affect fertility.

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Oxford City Councillor Hosnieh Djafari-Marbini, who is also a doctor at Oxford University Hospitals, received her first vaccine in January – during her final month of pregnancy – and received her second jab while breastfeeding.

She said: "For me, it was so important to get vaccinated because the risk of suffering the horrendous effects of Covid-19 is greater than the mild risks from the vaccine.

Oxford Mail: Dr Hosnieh Djafari-Marbini receiving her first Covid-19 jabDr Hosnieh Djafari-Marbini receiving her first Covid-19 jab

"I am so relieved that I was able to protect myself and my baby by getting vaccinated.

“It must be such a worrying time for so many pregnant mums out there with cases on the rise and the lifting of restrictions.”

Current UK guidelines state that:

  • There is no evidence that the vaccines have any effect on fertility or your chances of becoming pregnant.
  • Covid-19 vaccines offer people the best protection against the virus, which can be serious in later pregnancy for some women
  • Vaccines can be received while breastfeeding
  • Couples do not need to avoid pregnancy after vaccination

Mrs Djafari-Marbini added: "Thank you to the colleagues who helped me make an informed decision about my baby and vaccination.

“Baby Emaan is happy, healthy, and currently trying to learn to crawl.

"There is a lot of conflicting information out there, so it is understandable to be confused or uncertain.

"If anybody is unsure, I would urge them to speak to their GP or maternity team – you are not alone."

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Mother-of-two Laura Brunton, who is expecting her third child in November, has received her first jab.

The 38-year-old, who is being cared for by OUH, said: "I initially didn't want the vaccine as I was worried about the effect it could have on my unborn child.

"However, once I reached the 20-week mark and realised that the virus isn’t going away anytime soon, I knew I had to do my own research and make up my own mind.

"I realised there was a lot of scare-mongering and click-bait out there that was unsubstantiated with facts or research.

"I was reassured by the advice of health professionals and available research and took the decision to get vaccinated as I knew it would provide the best possible defence for me and my unborn child.”