Topic:
First Trimester
What are the benefits of getting the COVID-19 vaccine during pregnancy?
- The vaccines are effective at preventing COVID-19 disease, especially severe illness and death.
- Vaccination during pregnancy may help transfer protective antibodies to your baby through the placenta and breast milk. These antibodies may lower the chance of your baby getting the COVID-19 disease.
- All adults should get a booster shot 2-6 months after their second dose, depending on which brand of vaccine you received. We strongly recommend that pregnant people receive a booster as soon as you are eligible.
What are the known risks of getting COVID-19 during pregnancy?
Pregnant people who get COVID-19 are more likely to become very sick than those who are not pregnant. They are:
- 3 times more likely to need ICU care
- 2 to 3 times more likely to need advanced life support and a breathing tube
- More likely to die from COVID-19
What are the known risks of getting the COVID-19 vaccine during pregnancy?
- More than 176,000 people have received a COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy. No safety concerns have been reported for vaccinated pregnant people or their babies.
- There have been no increased risks of pregnancy loss, growth problems, or birth defects compared with pregnant people who were not vaccinated.
- You can’t get COVID-19 from the COVID-19 vaccines.
Who should get Covid-19 vaccine boosters?
- In fall 2022, the FDA approved the new bivalent covid-19 booster. The CDC and ACOG recommend all people get the new booster, if you haven’t had a covid-19 vaccine in the last 2 months. This includes people who are pregnant or breast-feeding. You can get the booster at any time in pregnancy, and do not need to wait until a particular week of pregnancy. Boosters are widely available at pharmacies.