The World Health Organization (WHO) has notably revised its recommendations regarding the COVID-19 vaccine for pregnant individuals, now endorsing vaccination for those who wish to receive it. This update comes after significant challenges to its previous guidance, which advised that pregnant individuals should only get vaccinated if they were in high-risk categories. Earlier, the WHO had stated it did “not recommend the vaccination of pregnant women” with the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines, while the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) had already recommended that pregnant individuals can and should receive the vaccine. This left many expectant parents uncertain about the best course of action.
Fortunately, the WHO’s new guidance aligns with the CDC’s stance, affirming that the benefits of vaccination outweigh potential risks. “While pregnancy puts women at higher risk of severe COVID-19, very little data are available to assess vaccine safety in pregnancy. Nevertheless, based on what we know about this kind of vaccine, we don’t have any specific reason to believe there will be specific risks that would outweigh the benefits of vaccination for pregnant women,” the WHO stated in its updated guidance.
Dr. Sarah Williams, an obstetrician at Hope University and a member of the COVID expert group with the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, mentioned, “This swift revision by WHO is encouraging news for pregnant individuals and their babies.”
While neither the Pfizer-BioNTech nor Moderna vaccines have undergone testing specifically on pregnant women, animal studies have not indicated any harmful side effects. Historically, pregnant individuals have been excluded from drug trials yet are often advised to receive other vaccinations, such as the flu vaccine, for their safety.
Moreover, a recent study funded by the National Institutes of Health uncovered that pregnant women who contract severe COVID-19 may face a higher risk of death and preterm delivery compared to those who are asymptomatic. The WHO concurs, adding that “When pregnant women develop severe disease, they also seem to more often require care in intensive care units than non-pregnant women of reproductive age.”
The CDC elaborated further, explaining their recommendation by stating that mRNA vaccines “do not interact with a person’s DNA since the mRNA does not enter the nucleus of the cell. Cells break down the mRNA quickly. Based on how mRNA vaccines function, experts believe they are unlikely to pose a specific risk for people who are pregnant.”
Reports indicate that approximately 1% of pregnant individuals in the U.S. have required ICU care due to COVID-19 complications, with around 1.5 out of every 1,000 pregnant individuals dying from the virus.
For more information on related topics, check out this blog post. Also, if you’re looking for trusted resources regarding pregnancy and home insemination, visit this excellent resource.
Search Queries:
- Are COVID vaccines safe for pregnant individuals?
- What do the WHO and CDC say about COVID vaccination during pregnancy?
- Risks of COVID-19 for pregnant women.
- mRNA vaccines and pregnancy safety.
- Vaccination guidelines for expectant mothers.
Summary:
The WHO has revised its recommendations to support COVID-19 vaccination for pregnant individuals, aligning with the CDC’s earlier stance. This change comes after concerns were raised about the potential risks of vaccination during pregnancy. Medical experts highlight that the benefits of vaccination outweigh the risks, especially as pregnant individuals are at increased risk for severe COVID-19. Current data supports the safety of mRNA vaccines in pregnancy, providing reassurance for expectant parents.
Leave a Reply