Pregnancy and the Covid-19 Vaccine

The FDA has said pregnant and lactating people can have access to the COVID-19 vaccine. Experts believe that COVID-19 vaccines are safe for pregnant women and their fetuses because the currently authorized COVID-19 vaccines are non-replicating vaccines and cannot cause infection in the vaccine recipient or their fetus (CDC).

If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, it is important to discuss your options with your healthcare provider. There are many reasons why a woman who is pregnant, thinking about getting pregnant or who is breastfeeding should think about getting a COVID-19 vaccination. Here are some things to consider:

Complications from COVID-19 disproportionately affect pregnant women

• The complications of COVID-19 disproportionately affect pregnant women. (Mayo Clinic)
• Studies show that pregnant women who contract COVID-19 have a three-times higher risk of requiring intensive care, a three-times higher risk of requiring mechanical ventilation and a higher risk of death. (NCBI)
• Existing evidence also suggests that pregnant women with COVID-19 are at higher risk of having a preterm delivery and that their newborns are three times more likely to be admitted to a hospital than those born to mothers without COVID-19. (NCBI)
• COVID-19 vaccines are effective at preventing COVID-19 disease, especially severe illness and death. (CDC)

The fear of COVID-19 infection has led to increasing anxiety and isolation among pregnant women—and even from their partners—and decreased interactions with the health system.

• Apart from the direct effects of the virus on pregnant women, some women have reported mental health issues such as anxiety and insomnia due to fears about COVID-19. (IS Global)
• Avoiding regular pre-natal care due to fears about contracting COVID-19 may result in complications that could have been prevented or mitigated by a healthcare provider. (NIH)
• According to the CDC, fully vaccinated people can resume activities without wearing a mask or physically distancing, except where required by laws, rules or regulations. (CDC)

Vaccinating a pregnant woman protects both a mother and her baby.

• There are many examples of maternal immunization, such as such as maternal immunization programs for influenza and pertussis, preventing severe disease and decreasing neonatal and infant mortality. Vaccination provides protection to mothers and to millions of children during their first few weeks of life. (NIH)
• New research has shown that nursing mothers who receive a COVID-19 vaccine may pass protective antibodies to their babies through breast milk. (Washington University and JAMA).