This post is current as of December 16, 2021 and will be updated as new CDC recommendations are released.
This article was medically reviewed and authored by Dr. Lynn Westphal, the Chief Medical Officer and practicing Reproductive Endocrinologist at Kindbody.
As the Covid-19 pandemic continues and cases are increasing in many parts of the country, it is exceedingly important that everyone get vaccinated. Vaccines are the best way to protect people from contracting the virus, slow transmission, and lower the chance of new variants emerging.
Since the Covid-19 vaccine was released last year, over 475 million doses have been administered in the US and they have been proven to be safe and effective. There is no evidence to show that these vaccines increase the risk of infertility, miscarriage, or birth defects.
Vaccination is recommended for everyone, including all people who are pregnant, trying to conceive, or breastfeeding.
Dr. Westphal
If an individual gets pregnant after the first dose of the vaccine, the second dose should be given as planned. If you are currently breastfeeding, you should continue to do so. When you are vaccinated, the antibodies made by the body may be passed through breastmilk and may help protect the baby from the virus.
People who are pregnant are at increased risk of severe illness and are more likely to have a preterm birth or stillbirth. As with the general population, pregnant people with other risk factors like obesity and diabetes may be at even higher risk of severe disease. Getting vaccinated greatly lowers the risk of severe illness and needing to be hospitalized at all stages of pregnancy.
All pregnant people, at any stage of pregnancy, should receive the booster. If you initially received the Pfizer/Moderna vaccine, you should get the booster 6 months after the second shot. If you received J&J, you should get the booster 2 months after the shot. It is completely fine to get any vaccine for a booster. You can mix and match vaccines without issue.
The recent emergence of Omicron further emphasizes the importance of vaccinations and boosters. Recent data show that a third shot of Pfizer-BioNTech’s vaccine effectively prevents serious illness from the Omicron variant. The initial two doses were not as protective as the three doses together.
Remember, it is advised to get other recommended vaccines as well. The flu vaccine is recommended every year and is safe in pregnancy.
It is so important to stay updated on current recommendations. The CDC and ACOG site provide comprehensive resources for accurate information regarding Covid-19 and pregnancy.
Please get your booster!
