Recent statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reveal that a staggering 75% of pregnant individuals have not received a COVID-19 vaccine. This comes at a time when cases of the highly contagious Delta variant are surging across the nation. The situation is particularly concerning for Black pregnant individuals, with nearly 90% remaining unvaccinated, highlighting significant disparities in vaccine uptake.
Despite the CDC and other health organizations urging expectant individuals to get vaccinated—emphasizing that the vaccine is both safe and effective—many remain hesitant. Dr. Rochelle Walensky, the CDC director, reinforced the message earlier this month, stating, “CDC encourages all pregnant people or those considering pregnancy and those who are breastfeeding to get vaccinated to protect themselves from COVID-19.” She underscored the urgency of increasing vaccination rates as the Delta variant spreads and severe outcomes from COVID-19 among unvaccinated pregnant individuals are reported.
Tragic cases have emerged, including a Texas mother who died shortly after childbirth due to COVID-19 complications. Before her passing, she expressed regret about not getting vaccinated. Similarly, a Florida mother died just ten days post-delivery. A physician in Alabama reported that among ten pregnant women in her ICU, seven were on ventilators, all unvaccinated.
In response to these alarming trends, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM) have also released updated guidelines advocating for immediate vaccination of all pregnant individuals. ACOG President Dr. J. Martin Tucker stated, “ACOG is recommending vaccination of pregnant individuals because we have evidence of the safe and effective use of the vaccine during pregnancy from many tens of thousands of reporting individuals.” He further noted that vaccination not only protects mothers but also safeguards their families and communities.
Two recent studies have confirmed that all three COVID-19 vaccines are “completely safe” and effective for pregnant individuals, as stated by Dr. Francis Collins, director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). These studies indicate that pregnant individuals can receive the vaccine at any stage of their pregnancy, with mRNA vaccines like Pfizer and Moderna being particularly safe since they do not contain live viruses.
The CDC has observed a rise in COVID-19 infections among pregnant individuals in recent weeks. The combination of widespread Delta variant transmission, low vaccination rates, and heightened risks of severe illness and complications from COVID-19 in pregnant individuals underscores the critical need for vaccination in this demographic.
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Summary
Recent data indicates that a significant majority of pregnant individuals—especially within the Black community—remain unvaccinated against COVID-19, despite strong endorsements from health organizations regarding the safety and efficacy of vaccines. The CDC has highlighted the urgent need for vaccination amidst rising cases of the Delta variant, particularly as severe outcomes are being reported among unvaccinated pregnant individuals.