COVID-19 Vaccines and Pregnancy - Community Health Centers

“Pregnant people are more likely to get severely ill with COVID-19 compared with non-pregnant people. If you are pregnant, you can receive a COVID-19 vaccine. Getting a COVID-19 vaccine during pregnancy can protect you from severe illness from COVID-19. If you have questions about getting vaccinated, a conversation with your healthcare provider might help, but is not required for vaccination.” – The Centers for Disease Control

There are a lot of questions surrounding pregnancy and COVID-19 vaccine safety. Here is some information for our patients:

If you are pregnant, breastfeeding or considering getting pregnant it is important to think about getting the COVID-19 vaccine! Many women who are pregnant or breastfeeding are choosing to get the COVID-19 vaccine to protect themselves and their families.
People who are pregnant and get COVID-19 infection have a higher chance of severe illness and complications than a person who is not pregnant. For this reason, medical providers and public health agencies like the CDC and Vermont Department of Health feel it is important for all pregnant women to be offered the COVID-19 vaccine. You should talk with your CHCB medical provider about getting vaccinated and if this decision is right for you.
What does the research say? Pregnant women were not included in the original COVID-19 vaccine clinical trials, but the CDC and other researchers have been observing data from women who have been vaccinated during pregnancy and breastfeeding since December 2020. To date no safety concerns have been identified. Medical providers have routinely and safely given pregnant women other types of vaccinations in pregnancy for a long time, we recommend the flu shot every year to protect against influenza and TDAP (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis) in pregnancy. Both of these vaccines protect mom and baby from infections.
The current research on COVID-19 vaccination in pregnancy reports that after the mother gets the vaccine the body makes antibodies to protect again COVID infection. Researchers have seen that these protective antibodies are passed to baby during pregnancy and while breastfeeding which may help protect the newborn from COVID infection.
At this time, there have been no adverse effects noted to mothers or babies during their pregnancy who have received the COVID-19 vaccine. We do not know of any risks to the pregnancy, baby or a person’s fertility from the COVID-19 vaccine. None of the COVID-19 vaccines available under the emergency use authorization in the US cause infertility.

If you would like more information please talk with your CHC medical/OB provider.

Here is more information from trusted sources!

COVID Vaccine Fact Sheet from MotherToBaby

CDC Information on COVID-19 Vaccines While Pregnant or Breastfeeding

American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Conversation Guide for Clinicians

American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Key Recommendations Sheet