Kirstie is a new mum and has shared her experience of getting the COVID-19 vaccine whilst pregnant.

"Like all women who find out they are pregnant, from that day onwards everything you do could affect your baby. 

"From the minute I found out I was pregnant, I had to make changes to my diet and lifestyle. For the next 9 months, I was making decisions not just for me but for my baby too. 

"I have always been pro-vaccination. I knew that pregnant women have been offered a whooping cough and flu vaccine for years, so those were an easy decision for me to make - I knew I'd definitely have the jabs when offered.

"But the COVID jab I was a little more nervous about because it was new. I hadn't had any COVID jabs before I fell pregnant as the eligible age hadn't reached my age group yet. 

"It took me until around mid-way through my pregnancy to go and get the COVID jab. I was watching the news and I could see that COVID was not going away. With my baby due in winter, I decided I should be as protected as I could be. 

"My daughter has been born now and she's healthy, I'm healthy and that's all I could ask for. I had my second jab a few weeks after my daughter was born and I'll be having my booster at the end of February.

"I would fully encourage anyone who is pregnant to get vaccinated against COVID to help protect you and your unborn child."

For more information on the COVID-19 vaccine, including how to book an appointment or find a walk-in clinic, please visit: https://www.dorsetccg.nhs.uk/vaccinations/