COVID-19 vaccines safe for pregnant, nursing moms

CEBU, Philippines — Pregnant women and lactating mothers are safe to get vaccinated against coronavirus disease.

While pregnancy puts women at higher risk of severe COVID-19, the World Health Organization (WHO), said, very little data are available to assess vaccine safety in pregnancy.

WHO said there are no specific risks that would outweigh the benefits of vaccination for pregnant women.

“For this reason, those pregnant women at high risk of exposure to SARS-CoV-2 (e.g. health workers) or who have comorbidities which add to their risk of severe disease, may be vaccinated in consultation with their health care provider,” read WHO report.

Currently, clinical trials have not yet provided data on the safety of COVID-19 vaccines in pregnant women. At the same time, there is no information on contraindications to the vaccination during pregnancy.

The decision to vaccinate should be made by the pregnant woman, after clarification of possible doubts with the doctor.

The Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention said getting vaccinated is a personal choice.

It said any of the currently authorized COVID-19 vaccines can be offered to people who are pregnant or breastfeeding.

For people who are breastfeeding, although there is no data available on any clinical trials of COVID-19 specifically in the U.S., CDC report said the COVID-19 vaccines authorized now are non-replicating vaccines.

“COVID-19 vaccines authorized now are non-replicating vaccines. Meaning they are able to create an immune response but do not reproduce inside host cells. Because non-replicating vaccines pose no risk for lactating people or their infants, COVID-19 vaccines are also thought to not be a risk to the breastfeeding infant. Therefore, lactating people may choose to be vaccinated,” CDC said.

The Department of Health (DOH), in its infographics, recommends pregnant women to get inoculated during the second trimester (from week 13 to 28).

DOH said mothers can breastfeed their babies before and after their vaccination.

Moreover, women trying to become pregnant do not need to avoid pregnancy after vaccination and there is no evidence to suggest that COVID-19 vaccines will affect fertility.

There is currently no evidence that any vaccines, including COVID-19 vaccines, can cause fertility problems.

After receiving COVID-19 vaccine, experts said there is also no need to avoid pregnancy after it. — KQD (FREEMAN)