Wondering if it’s safe to get the shot? We’ve got details.
If you’ve been hesitant to get the Covid-19 vaccine because you’re pregnant or trying to get pregnant, the experts say you’re in the clear. On Wednesday, the Centers for Disease Control strengthened its guidance, urging expectant mothers to get the shot.
It’s official: The CDC updated its advice after it found no increased risk of miscarriage among women immunized before 20 weeks of pregnancy. And this recommendation goes for all three vaccines: Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, and the one-shot Johnson & Johnson.
“Covid-19 vaccination is recommended for all people 12 years and older, including people who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or trying to get pregnant now or might become pregnant in the future,” the agency said.
What are the vaccination rates among pregnant women?
Overall, they remain low: Just 23 percent have received at least one shot. So far, more than 100,000 pregnant women in the U.S. have been infected, and another 18,000 have been hospitalized, according to the CDC.
Why is it particularly important for pregnant women to get the shot?
The virus can be very dangerous for moms-to-be, especially now that more than 98% of Americans live in an area where there’s a “high” or “substantial” risk of transmission. What’s more, pregnant women, especially those who are Black and Hispanic, are at higher risk of hospitalization and severe disease if infected, compared to those who aren’t pregnant. That’s why it’s important for both expecting moms and those around them to take precautions against Covid, and get the vaccine.
What are the experts saying?
More than 20 leading health organizations have already urged vaccines for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. This includes the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, who praised the news, telling KCM it’s “consistent” with its own recommendation, along with guidance from the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine.
“ACOG continues to work with the CDC to help ensure that pregnant and lactating people feel confident in the safety and protective value of the Covid-19 vaccines,” said ACOG President Dr. J. Martin Tucker.
