Because vaccination rates in the general public remain rather low, protecting yourself while pregnant is key.
At the time of this writing, the world is facing a rising Delta variant. We’re also facing the potential threat of a vaccine-resistant Lamda variant, and increasing coronavirus case rates in many countries. Will this ever end? It’s really difficult to say if and when COVID-19 will ever wind down on planet Earth. Hopefully someday. We have a pipe dream. It’s that someday, large waves of novel coronavirus infections will cease and the virus, if it remains with us, will be something that only pops up in clusters of unvaccinated people as a seasonal entity, somewhat like the flu.
We can hope. (Of course, the best case scenario would be the virus being eradicated from the globe but this may be unlikely, unless the prediction that it will “simply disappear” somehow strangely comes true).
Vaccines aren’t perfect but they help a lot
What to do? For the moment, the best thing you can do to combat the virus is to get yourself vaccinated. It’s not a foolproof solution. A small percentage of people who are vaccinated still catch COVID-19. Some have even gone on to die from the virus in spite of being vaccinated. But it’s a good idea. You will definitely be wearing more effective armour in your fight against the virus if you get your shot, compared with if you do not. So, get vaccinated now. And this is especially true if you are pregnant.
According to a post on CNN, at the end of July two prominent groups of professionals recommended pregnant people get their COVID-19 vaccine. Who? The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), as well as the Society of Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM) are both now making the recommendation.
Related: What is an immune escape variant?
“Pregnant individuals should feel confident that choosing COVID-19 vaccination not only protects them, but also protects their families and communities,” said Dr. J. Martin Tucker, president of ACOG to CNN.
Is it really necessary? Specialists say, yes, it is. Because there is still a relatively low full vaccination rate in the US, this is needed. Experts feel it is in the best interest of pregnant people to be fully vaccinated. Of course, each person’s situation is different in pregnancy and so do what’s best. You should talk with your doctor to see what works for you.
How vaccine trials in pregnant people were conducted
According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the World Health Organization (WHO) , being infected with COVID-19 while you’re pregnant can result in severe complications. A novel coronavirus infection while pregnant can cause you to give birth prematurely, among other problems. In the UK, 98% of pregnant women admitted to the hospital with a COVID-19 infection weren’t vaccinated.
Pregnant women were not purposely part of the initial coronavirus vaccine trials worldwide. This being said, about 20,000 pregnant people in the US have gotten the vaccine of their own accord. No significant side effects reported.
Beyond this, an official study on the subject called MOMI-VAX began in June 2021. Around 750 pregnant individuals and 250 who have recently given birth are receiving one of the authorized COVID-19 vaccines. The study aims to not only study the new mothers, but also the infants after they’ve been born, through their first year.
Still not sure? Contact your doctor to see if being vaccinated against the coronavirus is the course for you. Do what’s best for your pregnancy, the protection of yourself, and your family.
photo credits: ESB Professional/Shutterstock.com
