A recent study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) revealed that infants whose mothers received two doses of either the Pfizer/BioNTech or Moderna vaccines during pregnancy are 60% less likely to be hospitalized due to COVID-19. This adds to the growing body of evidence supporting the safety and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccinations for pregnant individuals, which not only safeguard the health of the mother but also confer immunity to the newborn.
The study found that the likelihood of hospitalization for infants aged 6 months or younger drops by 61% if the mother was vaccinated during pregnancy. The presence of maternal antibodies in umbilical cord blood indicates that these protective measures are transmitted to the developing baby. Researchers analyzed data from 379 hospitalized infants aged 6 months or younger—176 had COVID-19, while 203 were hospitalized for other reasons. The data was gathered from 20 pediatric hospitals across 17 states between July 2021 and mid-January 2022.
Notably, the study highlighted a correlation between the timing of the vaccination and the level of protection offered to the infant. Those mothers who were vaccinated later in their pregnancy provided more robust defenses for their babies, with protection rates of 80% for late vaccination compared to 32% for early vaccination.
The CDC emphasizes the importance of vaccination for all individuals who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning to conceive to protect against COVID-19. They also recommend receiving a booster shot six months after completing the initial vaccination series, which could further enhance the protective effects for the infant.
Dr. Sara Thompson, a leading researcher at the CDC, stated during a press briefing, “Maternal vaccination plays a crucial role in safeguarding vulnerable infants, especially in light of recent rises in hospitalizations among young children.” Alarmingly, the study revealed that 88% of babies admitted to the ICU with COVID-19 were born to unvaccinated mothers, and the only infant who succumbed to the illness was also from an unvaccinated mother.
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In summary, the CDC’s study underscores the critical importance of COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy, demonstrating significant reductions in hospitalization rates for infants. Vaccination not only protects mothers but also provides essential immunity to newborns, making it a crucial health measure.
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