The UK’s vague messaging on the Covid vaccine and pregnancy was a mistake | Viki Male

The government's campaign promoting boosters to those who are pregnant is vital, but it should have been done months ago

• Viki Male is a lecturer in reproductive immunology at Imperial College London

When you're pregnant, it's understandable that you might feel cautious. After all, you're told to avoid all sorts of things - soft cheeses, alcohol, certain medications - because they could be bad for the baby. You might find it surprising to be recommended a medical treatment that is still quite new.

This partly explains why levels of Covid vaccination during pregnancy still seem to be relatively low. In August 2021, only 22% of those who gave birth had received the Covid vaccine. This leaves them and their babies at risk: between May and October 2021, 96% of those admitted to hospital with Covid symptoms while pregnant were unvaccinated.

Viki Male is a lecturer in reproductive immunology at Imperial College London