Pregnant women should be offered the coronavirus vaccine jab, according to the UK's vaccine advisers.
Mums -to-be should be offered the jab at the same time as the rest of the population according to new advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI).
The committee said there were "no specific safety concerns" identified with "any brand of Covid-19 vaccines" in relation to pregnancy - however the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines were favourable for women carrying children.
Previously pregnant women had been advised to discuss having a vaccine with their GP if they are at high risk of exposure to the virus or if they have underlying health conditions.
Data from the US showed around 90,000 pregnant women had received jabs - mainly the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines - "without any safety concerns being raised", reports The Mirror.
The JCVI said those two vaccines were "preferable" for pregnant women in the UK.
It added: "There is no evidence to suggest that other vaccines are unsafe for pregnant women, but more research is needed."
The advice also states that women who are trying for a baby, have just given birth or are breastfeeding can be vaccinated using any approved vaccine.
Professor Wei Shen Lim, Covid-19 chair for JCVI, said: "We encourage pregnant women to discuss the risks and benefits with their clinician - those at increased risk of severe outcomes from Covid-19 are encouraged to promptly take up the offer of vaccination when offered.
"There have been no specific safety concerns from any brand of Covid-19 vaccines in relation to pregnancy.
"There are more real-world safety data from the US in relation to the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines in women who are pregnant - therefore, we advise a preference for these to be offered to pregnant women."
Dr Mary Ramsay, head of immunisation at Public Health England (PHE), said: "The available data on the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines provide confidence that they can be offered safely to pregnant women.
"The Covid-19 vaccines continue to save thousands of lives and it is important that we encourage as many people as possible to take up the offer when it is their turn."
Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond - Sign up to our daily newsletter here.
