HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — Studies show all three currently approved COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective for people who are pregnant and breastfeeding, but many women are still hesitant about getting the shot.
Huntsville Hospital Infectious Disease Specialist Dr. Ali Hassoun said, "What I usually tell my pregnant patients is if you are at risk of exposure for COVID, let's say you work at a health care setting or you work in a supermarket or a restaurant where you can get exposed, it's a good idea to get it, but if you do not have much risk of exposure you can always postpone it until after pregnancy."
There are good reasons to get the shot. Pregnant women are at a higher risk of being hospitalized with COVID-19, and if a pregnant woman gets sick with the virus, it can cause complications like premature birth.
"We are limited in what kind of medication we can give because of the effect on the baby," said Dr. Hassoun. "So every medication we give while pregnant, for example you get COVID, there are chances they can affect the baby in a harmful way.”
A new study shows the COVID-19 vaccine can also protect the baby when it’s born. The study also shows evidence that nursing mothers who get the vaccine can pass on protective antibodies to their babies through breast milk. It's important to note this is a single, small study, but the results are promising.
Dr. Hassoun said, "It's a small amount of antibody that cross into the milk, so it might give some immunity in there but not definitely."
Doctors admit there is still a lot of research to be done, but it's been proven so far the COVID vaccine is safe and effective for pregnant and breastfeeding women.
If you're pregnant and aren't sure what you want to do, get with your doctor about what's right for you.
Doctors are encouraging pregnant women to take part in the CDC's V-safe program, which is trying to gather more data about COVID-19 vaccination.
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