Should Pregnant Women Get Vaccinated for COVID-19?
Combating misinformation surrounding pregnant women and the COVID-19 vaccine
As of Oct. 6, 2021, more than 186 million Americans have been fully vaccinated for COVID-19, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). While the rates of vaccination among people between the ages of 12 and 65 are above 65 percent, the vaccination rate in pregnant women is much lower, due in part to concerns about possible harm to the fetus. As the Delta variant continues to surge, an increasing number of unvaccinated pregnant women are being hospitalized with COVID-19. Public health experts note that this trend can be reversed if more pregnant women are educated about the safety of COVID-19 vaccines.
Are the current Pfizer, Moderna, and Janssen vaccines safe to receive if a woman is pregnant?
KH: Yes, we do consider the COVID-19 vaccines that are available in the United States to be safe for pregnant women, and they are also endorsed by the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Right now, based on the data that we have so far, there is no evidence the vaccines are unsafe. In terms of adverse effects, there are no more than we would see in the general population. On that basis, it is recommended that pregnant women get vaccinated for COVID-19.
Has there been a lot of hesitation among pregnant women?
KH: There is still a lot of hesitation. As of September 25, only 32.3 percent of pregnant women had been fully vaccinated so far. There is a disparity in vaccination rates when we look at racial and ethnic minorities. We know that Black women and Hispanic women tend to be at the lower end of those getting vaccinated. We are encouraging all pregnant women to get vaccinated.
Do vaccines have any adverse effects on the infant if breastfeeding?
KH: Thus far, we have not seen any adverse effects on infants from breastfeeding as a result of the mother getting the COVID-19 vaccine during pregnancy or during the breastfeeding stage. As a matter of fact, there has been some evidence that the maternal antibodies can be transferred to the baby during breastfeeding and can have a protective effect.
What if a mother is not breastfeeding? Are there antibodies passed to the baby during pregnancy?
KH: Data have shown that there are some antibodies conferred through the placenta. Theoretically, if mom is vaccinated during pregnancy or just prior to pregnancy, there is potential that they will transfer some antibodies to the baby.
Will receiving a vaccine affect fertility?
KH: Based on the data we have currently, there is no impact on fertility from receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. As a matter of fact, it is recommended that women who are trying to get pregnant or plan to get pregnant in the future should get vaccinated because we know there is an increased risk of adverse events such as hospitalization, mechanical ventilation and death if a pregnant woman contracts COVID-19.
What is the impact to the fetus if a women contracts COVID-19 and is hospitalized?
KH: Pregnant women who contract COVID-19 are at increased risk for pre-term delivery and stillbirth. So there clearly is a downside not only for mom but also for the baby.
Where can pregnant people find trusted and current information about COVID-19 vaccines?
KH: I encourage them to speak to their healthcare providers or OB-GYN if they have any questions or concerns about the vaccine, especially if they have concerns about the safety of the vaccine. Another source is the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, which has put out statements about the safety of the vaccine. The Society of Fetal and Maternal Medicine also is a great resource. They have a number of pamphlets that they have released sharing the overall benefits of receiving the vaccine and what the risks are if you do contract COVID-19. Also, the CDC is another good source – there is a lot of good data on its website regarding the safety of vaccines and pregnancy.
What would you say to women who are on the fence about getting the vaccine?
KH: I would reiterate what we do know, which is that pregnant women who contract COVID-19 are at increased risk for mechanical ventilation, hospitalization and death compared to their non-pregnant counterparts. We know that the vaccine actually reduces the risk of severe illness and any of those adverse events. I would strongly encourage them to consider getting vaccinated.