Mommyato Blog | Are COVID-19 Vaccines Safe During Pregnancy?

28 Jul Are COVID-19 Vaccines Safe During Pregnancy?

Posted at 15:28h in COVID-19, Health, Medical Concerns, Pregnancy by JessicaB

COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy reduces the risk of pregnancy complications if infected with the COVID virus.²

The last two years have been a scary time for women who are pregnant, trying to become pregnant, or newly postpartum. The novel Coronavirus is new to the medical landscape. Society, including medical providers, have been navigating month by month what it means to live, prevent and be sick with COVID-19. For many women, the stakes are high as they consider the risks of contracting COVID-19 during pregnancy.

The last two years have provided an opportunity for researchers to gather evidence on some of the most effective measures pregnant women can take to protect themselves and their pregnancies against COVID-19. Emerging research shows that getting a COVID vaccine during pregnancy offers protection and reduces the risk of complications related to the virus.

Because of immune changes that occur during pregnancy and the early postpartum period, women are more likely to get sick from COVID. Having serious COVID related symptoms can put a pregnancy at risk, causing pregnancy complications and problems with the developing fetus. Studies show that COVID infection during pregnancy increases the risk of preterm and stillborn birth. The data suggest that getting vaccinated reduces the likelihood of infection, and most effectively, the likelihood of severe illness, hospitalization and death.²

The COVID vaccine works by causing the body to create antibodies against COVID-19, which allow the body to recognize the virus when it’s exposed to it, attack and destroy it, thereby reducing the significance and impact of the disease. There are two types of COVID-19 vaccine technologies currently approved for use in the United States; mRNA (Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech) and viral vector (Johnson & Johnson Janssen) vaccine products.

Professional organizations like ACOG (American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists) currently recommend childbearing women receive the mRNA vaccine series (Moderna or Pfizer-BioNTech) over the viral vector vaccines (J&J Janssen). This is because of the rare risk of a blood clotting disorder (Thrombocytopenia Syndrome) after vaccination with J&J, most often observed in women of childbearing age. However, the latest studies show that the viral vector vaccine has been given to women in all trimesters with no adverse outcomes for mother or baby.¹ You should discuss what vaccine is best for you with your healthcare provider.

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Common Concerns about the COVID-19 Vaccine during Pregnancy

As more research unfolds, a clearer picture is beginning to form about the efficacy and safety of COVID-19 vaccines during pregnancy. It’s important to dispel some of the myths and clarify concerns around vaccine safety, as evidenced by the latest research. The data currently shows that:

COVID-19 vaccines do not cause fertility problems in men and women
women can get vaccinated any time before, during and after pregnancy, with no known adverse effects to mother or baby
COVID-19 vaccines (2 mRNA vaccine series) received during pregnancy may have a protective effect for the infant up to 6 months after birth, reducing risk of hospitalization if the baby is infected with COVID-19
COVID-19 vaccine can be given at the same time as other vaccines during pregnancy
vaccine products can be mixed and matched, although mRNA vaccines are preferred
more data are needed to understand if vaccination during pregnancy protects the developing fetus in the womb and during breastfeeding, similar to the way traditional vaccines work.¹ Here is a bit more information about Covid-19 and breastfeeding.

This data comes from scientific studies and from the safety monitoring systems of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Federal Drug Administration (FDA). You can access and register with these systems to review others’ health experiences and side effects related to the COVID vaccine, as well as report your own. CDC clinicians not only monitor pregnancy complications, but follow birth outcomes and infant outcomes and development up to the baby’s 1st year of life:

All of these health systems help the CDC and FDA monitor the safety of COVID vaccines in pregnant people. Participating as a person vaccinated for COVID during pregnancy helps improve knowledge about the safety of the vaccines, impacting improved vaccine technology in the future. Be sure to continue the discussion with your provider, ask questions, share your concerns, and gather the information you need to make the right decision for you.

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