By Alec Go
Pregnant women and those who are planning to get pregnant can get vaccinated against COVID-19, experts said, amid their increased risk of having severe COVID-19 compared to non-pregnant individuals and due to the emergence of coronavirus variants.
The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended the inoculation of pregnant and breastfeeding women, citing research data that there is no increased risk of miscarriage from mRNA COVID-19 vaccines.
This finding was stated in the study covering 2,456 pregnant women who were given mRNA vaccines before 20 weeks of their pregnancy.
“Miscarriage typically occurs in about 11-16% of pregnancies, and this study found miscarriage rates after receiving a COVID-19 vaccine were around 13%, similar to the expected rate of miscarriage in the general population,” the CDC said.
“When compared to the expected range of SABs (spontaneous abortion) in recognized pregnancies, these data suggest receipt of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine preconception or during pregnancy is not associated with an increased risk of SAB,” the study’s conclusion stated.
The CDC, basing on existing monitoring systems, previously said that no safety concerns were found on those “vaccinated late in pregnancy or for their babies.”
A study by the University of Washington School of Medicine/UW Medicine released on Aug. 17 showed that over 17,000 vaccinated pregnant and lactating women did not experience more severe side effects than normal vaccine reactions.
Read more: DOH includes pregnant women under Expanded A3 vax priority group
The Philippine Department of Health (DOH) earlier said that getting pregnant is not a contraindication for getting vaccinated, and advised getting the shot “after the first three months” given the limited data back then.
It added that breastfeeding women can get the vaccine and may continue breastfeeding before or after vaccination. – jlo
Read more: Vaccines okay for breastfeeding, menstruating women
