Covid-19 vaccination is “strongly” recommended for individuals who are “pregnant, recently pregnant (including those who are lactating), who are trying to become pregnant now, or who might become pregnant in the future to prevent serious illness, deaths, and adverse pregnancy outcomes,” the CDC urged in a statement released Sept. 29.
The CDC noted that the benefits of vaccination outweigh any known or potential risks associated with the Covid-19 vaccine and lamented the low numbers of pregnant people so far vaccinated:
“According to CDC data, only 31 percent of pregnant people have been vaccinated against Covid-19 and vaccination rates vary markedly by race and ethnicity,” the agency wrote in its statement. “Vaccination coverage is highest among Asian people who are pregnant (45.7 percent), but lower among Hispanic or Latino pregnant people (25 percent), and lowest among Black pregnant people (15.6 percent).”
The agency underscored the importance of pregnant people getting the vaccine. “Cases of Covid-19 in symptomatic, pregnant people have a two-fold risk of admission into intensive care and a 70 percent increased risk of death. Pregnant people with Covid-19 are at increased risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes that could include preterm birth, stillbirth, and admission into the ICU of a newborn also infected with Covid-19.”
Added CDC Director Rochelle P. Walensky, MD, MPH: “Pregnancy can be both a special time and also a stressful time – and pregnancy during a pandemic is an added concern for families. I strongly encourage those who are pregnant or considering pregnancy to talk with their healthcare provider about the protective benefits of the COVID-19 vaccine to keep their babies and themselves safe.”
Candace Hoffmann, Managing Editor, BreakingMED™
Cat ID: 41
Topic ID: 83,41,933,926,41,927,928,934
