This week the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated their guidance to *recommend* Covid-19 vaccination for EVERYONE ages 12 and older, including those who may be pregnant, breastfeeding, or who are trying to get pregnant.
Previously the CDC had stated that “If you are pregnant, you *can* receive a Covid-19 vaccine.”
➡️ The main reasons for the updated guidance were:
💥 Continued accumulation of data on the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine during pregnancy.
💥 Evidence of risk of severe complications arising from COVID-19 infection while pregnant.
For example, one analysis of approximately 400,000 women aged 15–44 years with symptomatic COVID-19 found that intensive care unit admission, invasive ventilation, and death were more likely in pregnant women than in nonpregnant women.
⬇️ BOTTOM LINE:
• COVID-19 vaccination is recommended for all people 12 years and older, including people who are pregnant, breastfeeding, trying to get pregnant now, or might become pregnant in the future.
• Evidence about the safety and effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy has been growing. These data suggest that the benefits of receiving a COVID-19 vaccine outweigh any known or potential risks of vaccination during pregnancy.
• There is currently no evidence that any vaccines, including COVID-19 vaccines, cause fertility problems in women or men.
• Vaccination during pregnancy builds antibodies that can protect the baby after delivery.
➡️ As of July 31st, only 23% of pregnant women in the U.S. have received at least one dose of the vaccine. With the highly contagious Delta variant, protecting the vulnerable from preventable infection is an even higher priority.
Links:
CDC links:
COVID-19 Vaccines While Pregnant or Breastfeeding
New CDC Data: COVID-19 Vaccination Safe for Pregnant People
Pregnant and Recently Pregnant People – At increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19.
NPR – “Vaccinating During Pregnancy Has Become Even More Urgent As ICU Beds Fill Up”
CNN – “CDC strengthens recommendation for pregnant women to get vaccinated against Covid-19”
