If you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant, your biggest priority is making sure both you and your baby are healthy.  With so much going on right now, how do you know if it’s safe to get the COVID vaccine while you’re pregnant? Who can you trust?

Talk to your doctor.  If you want to get the vaccine, talk to your OB-GYN, as he or she will likely have the most up-to-date information. This is the person you’ve chosen to trust with the delivery of your baby. Discuss your options. Be honest about your concerns. Your personal physician is your ally during pregnancy and beyond.

What to consider:  1) Your individual risk of getting the virus, based on the numbers in your community and what you do for a living. 2) Possible outcomes of getting the virus while pregnant, based on your unique health status. 3) Side effects of receiving the vaccine. 4) Current data.

What the data says:  Unfortunately, there isn’t a lot of data available yet on getting a COVID vaccine during pregnancy. That’s because pregnant individuals were not included in the original clinical trials, which is standard for most clinical trials. (Pfizer started a global clinical trial in February 2021 of 4000 pregnant women and is expected to publish the results within a year.)

Even so, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends that the currently available COVID vaccines “should not be withheld from pregnant individuals.”  [Source:  ACOG Practice Advisory] They also stress the importance of talking to your doctor or healthcare provider.

There’s good news:  A limited study on 131 women conducted recently by two hospitals suggests the vaccine is safe and effective on pregnant women. Side effects were mild and similar to what everybody experiences – soreness at the injection site, some muscle aches, headache, fever, and chills.

Even better, getting the vaccine during pregnancy may also protect your baby. Vaccine antibodies have been found in breastmilk and umbilical cord blood. [Source: NPR, “Study:  COVID-19 Vaccine Is Safe During Pregnancy and May Protect Baby too, April 2, 2021]

You may still have questions and concerns, so talk to your doctor. Keeping babies and moms healthy and safe is at the top of BBF’s priorities during this difficult time. We’re proud to be a resource for you now and into the future!