The Covid-19 Vaccine is a Personal Choice for Pregnant Women
20,000 pregnant women have already been vaccinated against COVID-19 in spite of the lack of clinical data on safety. Since pregnant women were not invited to participate in the clinical trials for the new vaccines, we don’t have information yet on possible side effects.
Pregnant women are more vulnerable to Covid-19 disease
However, we do have data on the serious risk the Covid 19 virus can pose to pregnant women if they are infected. Pregnant women, particularly Black and Latina women, have a higher chance of facing the respiratory distress associated with severe Covid 19 cases. On the whole, the risk of severe illness, hospitalization and even death is higher among pregnant women. The CDC warns, “Pregnant women who have COVID-19 appear more likely to develop respiratory complications requiring intensive care than women who aren’t pregnant. Pregnant women are also more likely to be placed on a ventilator.”
Perhaps this is why so many women choose to vaccinate against COVID-19, in spite of a vague recommendation from the CDC, which states only that
“It’s a personal choice for people who are pregnant.”
The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology echoes this, recommending that the vaccine should be made available to pregnant women who choose to be vaccinated.
The Covid-19 vaccine does not interact with a person’s DNA
Even though data on the COVID-19 vaccine and pregnant women is not available yet, scientists do understand the mechanism of the vaccine very well.
The mRNA Covid-19 vaccine does not interact with a person’s DNA because the mRNA does not enter the cell’s nucleus. In addition, the vaccine does not contain live virus.
Therefore, based on this information, one could logically conclude that the vaccine is not risky for pregnant or breastfeeding women.
Fortunately, there will be more data soon to help women decide.
According to their websites, “The CDC and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have safety monitoring systems in place to capture information about vaccination during pregnancy and will closely monitor reports.”
For now, whether or not to get the vaccine continues to be a personal choice for pregnant and breastfeeding women.
