Do you still need the COVID vaccine during pregnancy? Experts say yes

If you are pregnant, you may be wondering if the COVID-19 vaccine is right for you. It’s understandable to have questions, especially with so much information and differing opinions out there.

Good news: Major medical organizations, including the American College of Obstetricians and GynecologistsIt will open a new window (ACOG) and the Society for Maternal-Fetal MedicineIt will open a new window (SMFM), continue to recommend the COVID-19 vaccine in the medium term.

Here’s what the research says about the safety, effectiveness, and benefits of vaccines for you and your child.

Is the COVID vaccine safe during pregnancy?

Yes, all the available evidence shows that the COVID vaccine is safe during pregnancy. According to ACOGIt will open a new window“There is no evidence of adverse effects on the mother or the fetus when giving the COVID-19 vaccine to pregnant women, and the majority of the evidence suggests it is safe.”

CommentsIt will open a new window published in Vaccination looked at 71 studies of more than 17 million pregnant women and found nothing about safety with the COVID vaccine.

Some large studies around the world show that receiving the COVID vaccine during pregnancy did not increase the risk of pregnancy.

“As ob-gyns who care for patients every day, we’ve seen firsthand how dangerous COVID-19 can be during pregnancy and for babies who rely on the mother’s immunity from vaccinations for protection,” wrote Steven J. Fleischman, MD, ob-gyn and president of ACOG in a statement.It will open a new window. “The COVID-19 vaccine is safe during pregnancy, and the vaccine can protect our patients and their babies after birth.”

Here’s why it’s important to get the COVID vaccine during pregnancy:

Vaccination reduces the risk of COVID significantly

Although most pregnant women who contract COVID have healthy pregnancies and babies, they are at high risk of severe illness and ICU admission, hospitalization, and death, as well as pregnancy complications such as preterm birth, fetal growth restriction, and stillbirth. The risk of severe symptoms of COVID applies to new mothers, too – at least 6 weeks after giving birth.

Thinking about these possibilities is scary, but getting the COVID vaccine during pregnancy reduces the risk of any complications that may happen to you.

Antibodies for COVID-19 can pass to your child

Research shows that getting vaccinated during pregnancy can reduce your baby’s risk of getting COVID after birth. (That’s because your antibodies are passed on to your little one in the womb.) This can protect your baby before they’re old enough to get the COVID vaccine, and keep them from being hospitalized if they get COVID.

If you are breastfeeding, it is also recommended that you get the COVID-19 vaccine. Research shows that the COVID vaccine is safe and effective for pregnant and breastfeeding women, and if you are breastfeeding, you can develop antibodies that can protect your baby.

Research on the safety and efficacy of the vaccine in breastfeeding mothers is ongoing, but current findings suggest that the vaccine protects against serious illness, and there are no reports of adverse effects on mothers or their infants.

The active part of the vaccine, mRNA, does not pass into breast milk. They are made of mRNA (instructions for the cells to make protein) inside a small bubble of fat, so the vaccine injected into your arm will not have a chance to pass through your blood and into your milk.

On the flip side, research shows that the antibodies produced by the vaccine make it into breast milk and are passed on to your baby, potentially protecting your baby from COVID. Several other vaccines, such as the flu vaccine and Tdap, are proven to have this effect.

When should I get the COVID vaccine?

ACOG encourages pregnant women to get the COVID vaccine. You can receive the vaccine in any trimester, but the sooner the better to have good protection throughout the pregnancy. You can also get it at the same time as other seasonal vaccines, such as the flu and RSV shots.

“I recommend the COVID vaccine to my pregnant patients,” says ob-gyn and BabyCenter Medical Advisor Layan Alrahmani, MD “You should feel empowered to bring all your questions about COVID and vaccines to your OB provider so they can make the best decision for you and your baby.”

How does the COVID vaccine work?

The recommended COVID vaccines for use during pregnancy in the United States are:

These are messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines. They introduce lab-made mRNA — not a live virus — into the body to teach cells to make proteins that trigger the immune system. The immune response produces antibodies against the virus. After the protein is made, the body’s cells break down the mRNA and remove it from the body. The mRNA vaccine is intended for anyone 6 months of age or older.

None of the COVID-19 vaccines interact with or affect the body’s DNA. And none of the introduced stuff sticks.

According to ACOGIt will open a new window: “There is no live or inactive (killed) virus in the mRNA and protein subunit vaccine. … This vaccine will not give you COVID-19. Vaccines do not affect your genes or DNA.”

The new COVID vaccines contain protection against new strains of COVID.

Are there side effects of the COVID vaccine?

Side effects from the COVID vaccine are very rare, and some people do not experience any problems at all. But it is common to have side effects of the vaccine such as:

• Swelling, redness or pain at the injection site
• Malung
• Head
• Exhaustion
• Muscle pain
• Cold
• Nausea

You may not have long-term side effects from the COVID vaccine. Vaccine monitoring shows that if side effects occur, they are within 6 weeks of receiving the vaccine dose. Before approving the vaccine, the US Food & Drug Administration (FDA) required drug manufacturers to monitor clinical trial participants for at least 8 weeks after receiving the last dose.

Are there any risks associated with the COVID vaccine?

Current approved vaccines have proven safe and effective for adults, children six months of age and older, pregnant women, breastfeeding women, and women hoping to become pregnant. Millions of people in the United States and around the world have successfully received this vaccine. Vaccines went through rigorous clinical trials before being approved.

However, some people have faced serious problems. This is very unlikely to happen, and remember the risks associated with it find COVID far outweighs any risk of getting vaccinated.

Blood clots

Although the risk of bleeding is rare, there have been reports of thrombosis and thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS), or bleeding with low platelets, associated with Johnson & Johnson vaccines.

Although this was extremely rare, the Johnson & Johnson vaccine is no longer used in the United States.

Inflammation of the heart

There have been reports of inflammation of the heart – called myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle) and pericarditis (inflammation of the outer layer of the heart) – following the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, especially in young and old adults. This usually occurs in boys aged 16 and over, within a few days of receiving the second vaccination. Most patients recovered quickly after treatment and rest.

Their bodies are not compatible

About 5 out of every million people who receive the COVID vaccine experience a severe reaction called anaphylaxis. In most cases, this can be treated immediately with medication, and people recover quickly.

However, because some people are more vulnerable to vaccination than others, the US Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) recommends it.It will open a new window the following:

• If you have not been allergic to any type of vaccine or injection in the past (even if it wasn’t serious), ask your doctor if you should get the COVID vaccine.
• If you are experiencing a first-time exposure to the COVID-19 vaccine, ask your doctor if you should receive a different type of vaccine.
• If you are allergic to polyethylene glycol (PEG), do not receive Pfizer or Moderna vaccines. Ask your doctor about other options.
• You can receive this vaccine if you have a history of allergic reactions to vaccines (such as allergies to pets, food, and latex).

Symptoms of allergies include hives, pale skin, swelling of the face or mouth, and difficulty breathing or wheezing. It does not include vaccine side effects such as fever, chills, or fatigue, which occur within a few days of vaccination.

The bottom line? If you’re trying to get pregnant, pregnant, or breastfeeding, make sure you stay up to date with your COVID shots to protect you and your baby. Talk to your provider if you have any questions or concerns. They can guide you in your decisions and give you guidance on taking your shots.