 Leaders from the health sector are encouraging more pregnant women to get their COVID-19 vaccine.
Though uncommon, severe illness due to COVID-19 is more likely in later pregnancy. Pregnant women who do get symptomatic COVID-19 infection are two to three times more likely to give birth to their baby prematurely.
It is preferable for pregnant women in the UK to be offered the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccines where available, as there is more safety data available on these vaccines in pregnancy.
Dr Edward Morris, President of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, said:
We are encouraged to see more than 50,000 pregnant women in England have received one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. We recommend vaccination in pregnancy as it’s the most effective way of protecting women and their babies from severe illness and premature birth.
We are concerned that increasing rates of COVID-19 infection will adversely impact pregnant women. Of the pregnant women in hospital with COVID-19 last week, 95% were unvaccinated. We hope this reassuring data will help those undecided consider taking up the offer of a vaccine.
Women who are breastfeeding or trying for a baby are also highly recommended to have the COVID-19 vaccination.
Watch Dr Nikki Kanani from NHS England explain more by clicking on the video link below:
 Our next public Local Outbreak Engagement Board meeting is being held on Monday, 2 August at 6pm. Tune in to get an update on the NHS vaccination programme, COVID-19 situation update, Public Protection Partnership and our COVID-related communications activities. If you can't make the event, you will be able to view a recording.
In the autumn we'll be submitting a Bus Services Improvement Plan to the Department for Transport. This will outline how we at the Council, alongside bus operators with services in the district, can increase use of bus services.
We'd like to restore bus services to its pre-pandemic level and thereafter increase passenger numbers, reduce congestion, carbon and pollution, help the disadvantaged and reduce the number of cars on our roads.
In order to achieve this, we have put together a survey asking for your views on local bus services in West Berkshire, and if you have any suggestions for possible improvements.
To take part, please read the consultation document and then complete the online survey by midnight on Friday 30 August 2021. The more responses we have to the survey, the better our Bus Services Improvement Plan will be for local residents, businesses and the economy.
 There are many summer fun activities planned across West Berkshire for children and adults alike - a welcome opportunity to recharge our batteries after the long months of lockdown. Click on the following links for more information and please do check if booking is required.
Summer Fun 2021 brochure - all ages
Pop-up Wednesdays (Thatcham - for families with children up to 6 years)
Make and Take Day (Thatcham - for families with children up to 6 years)
Play in the Park (Thatcham - for families with young children)
Berkshire Youth Community Summer Fun Programme (Thatcham - for young people aged 11-18)
Berkshire Youth Summer Holiday Programme (Newbury - for young people aged 11+)
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And finally...
Everyone is welcome to the Community Cafe from Educafe every Wednesday at The Globe in Newbury from 11 am to 3 pm. Come meet other people, and there is free tea and cake for everyone. Children with a parent or guardian are also invited to join.
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