Two new studies reinforce that COVID vaccines are safe for those who are pregnant. As researchers continue to evaluate the effects of COVID-19 vaccines on populations that were initially excluded from clinical trials, such as pregnant individuals and children, important findings are emerging. For example, in February, it was discovered that COVID-19 antibodies could be transmitted to babies in the womb. More recently, the FDA authorized the Pfizer vaccine for children aged 12 to 15 after successful trials.
Benefits of COVID-19 Vaccines for Pregnant Women
A new study published in JAMA on May 13 highlights that COVID-19 vaccines can benefit pregnant women and their infants. The research, titled “Immunogenicity of COVID-19 mRNA Vaccines in Pregnant and Lactating Women,” indicates that vaccinated individuals can transfer protective antibodies to their fetuses through the bloodstream and to their infants via breast milk. Furthermore, both the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines appear to elicit immune responses in pregnant and nursing women, potentially providing some defense against various coronavirus variants.
Dr. Mia Johnson, a physician-scientist involved in the study, stated, “Vaccination of pregnant individuals and those who are lactating leads to the transfer of immunity to their newborns and breastfeeding infants.”
Placenta Health and Fertility
In a separate study published in the journal Obstetrics & Gynecology, researchers found no evidence that the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines harm the placenta during pregnancy. Additionally, the vaccines do not appear to affect fertility, menstruation, or puberty. “We can shift from ‘Let’s protect pregnant individuals from the vaccine’ to ‘Let’s protect them and their infants through vaccination,’” said Dr. Lily Thompson, co-author of the placenta study, in a statement to The New York Times. “That’s a powerful message.”
The JAMA study involved 103 women who received either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine between December 2020 and March 2021, with 30 being pregnant and 16 lactating. The placenta study examined placentas from 200 women who gave birth between April 2020 and April 2021; of those, 84 had received the vaccine during pregnancy. Dr. Thompson noted, “We don’t see any signs of injury to the placenta from the vaccine.” This adds to the growing body of evidence suggesting that the vaccine is safe during pregnancy.
Encouraging News for Pregnant Women
“Overall, this is encouraging news,” said Dr. Alex Parker, a virologist and study co-author. “It strengthens the argument for pregnant women to get vaccinated.” For more insights on this topic, you can check out our related blog post here. For a deeper understanding of pregnancy and related health matters, visit the WHO’s pregnancy resource page. For more expert information, you can also refer to Intracervical Insemination.
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In summary, recent studies confirm that COVID-19 vaccines are safe for pregnant individuals, showing no negative impact on fertility or placental health. The vaccines can also benefit newborns by transferring antibodies through breast milk and the placenta, emphasizing the importance of vaccination during pregnancy.