This blog was originally posted in 2021. Some information may be out of date. For the latest updates on vaccines, testing, screening, visitor policy and post-COVID support, visit EEHealth.org/coronavirus.

Vaccinations during pregnancy are important and common. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, you are likely familiar with vaccines that are typically recommended during pregnancy to prevent influenza (flu shot) and pertussis (Tdap vaccine).

COVID-19 vaccination is recommended for people who are pregnant, breastfeeding, trying to get pregnant now, or might become pregnant in the future.

You may be deciding if you should get the COVID-19 vaccine. This is a personal choice that you should make after talking with your doctor, who is your first point of contact to help you make an informed decision.

What do we know about the COVID-19 vaccine and pregnancy?

The two mRNA COVID-19 vaccines, Pfizer BioNTech and Moderna, consist of messenger RNA and use the body’s own cells to generate the coronavirus spike protein, which stimulates immune cells to create antibodies against COVID-19. While mRNA vaccines are distinct from influenza and Tdap vaccines currently used during pregnancy, mRNA technology has been in development for the last decade.

The single-dose Janssen (J&J) vaccine, a vector vaccine, uses a harmless adenovirus (a type of virus that causes the common cold) to instruct the body’s cells to make the coronavirus spike protein, training the body's immune system to protect against COVID-19.

COVID-19 vaccines cannot cause COVID-19 infection in anyone, including the mother or the baby, as they do not contain the live virus that causes the coronavirus. Also, the mRNA does not enter the cell’s nucleus and does not alter human DNA, so the mRNA vaccines cannot cause any genetic changes, and your body’s cells break down the mRNA quickly.

Additionally, vaccines are effective at preventing COVID-19 in people who are breastfeeding. Recent reports suggest that breastfeeding people who have received mRNA COVID-19 vaccines have antibodies in their breastmilk, which could help protect their babies.  

There's growing evidence about the safety and effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy. Data suggest that the benefits of receiving a COVID-19 vaccine outweigh any known or potential risks of vaccination during pregnancy.

All women younger than age 50 (regardless of whether they are pregnant or recently pregnant) should be aware of the rare risk of thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS) after receipt of the Janssen (J&J) COVID-19 vaccine.

While there are still many unknowns, we do know that:

• Women who are trying to become pregnant do not need to avoid pregnancy after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine.
• There is currently no evidence that any vaccines, including COVID-19 vaccines, cause fertility problems.
• If an individual becomes pregnant after the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine series, the second dose should be administered as indicated.
• People who are pregnant may receive a COVID-19 vaccine booster shot.
• Pregnant people or recently pregnant people are more likely to get severely ill with COVID-19 than those who aren't pregnant. Pregnant people with comorbidities, such as obesity and diabetes, may be at an even higher risk of severe illness.
• Pregnant people with severe COVID-19 may be at increased risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes, such as preterm birth and pregnancy loss.
• The side effects that some may experience after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine aren’t expected to be any different for pregnant people. (You may be advised to take acetaminophen if you develop a fever, as fever has been associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes).
• All vaccine recipients, including pregnant people, should talk with their doctor if they have a history of severe allergic reaction (e.g., anaphylaxis) to any other vaccine or injectable therapy.
• Pregnant people who decide to get vaccinated should continue to follow the current guidelines to prevent the spread of COVID-19 after they are vaccinated, including wearing a mask, staying at least 6 feet away from others, washing hands often and avoiding crowds.

Pregnant and breastfeeding women need to weigh the potential benefits of vaccination (including preventing COVID-19 illness) against the potential risks regarding vaccination. Ask yourself, what is the risk of virus exposure and not getting vaccinated?

Guidance from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine and CDC, advocate for making COVID-19 vaccines available to pregnant and lactating women in consultation with their doctor.

For the latest updates on the COVID-19 vaccine, please check EEHealth.org/coronavirus/vaccine.

Are you wondering whether to get the vaccine? Read our blog to learn more.

Edward-Elmhurst Health offers screening options for COVID-19. Eleanor, your personal virtual assistant, can help you check your symptoms 24/7 and advise you on what to do next. We also offer Video Visits and E-Visits for COVID-19 symptoms.

The information in this article may change at any time due to the changing landscape of this pandemic. Read the latest on COVID-19.