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Vaccination

COVID-19 Vaccination Safe for Pregnant Women, New Study Confirms

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Researchers have analyzed data from over 46,000 pregnant women, finding no association between COVID-19 vaccination and preterm birth or small-for-gestational-age babies. The study, led by Dr. Heather Lipkind, an associate professor at the Yale School of Medicine, reinforces existing recommendations from the CDC and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists to vaccinate pregnant women. Despite the strong evidence, only 31% of pregnant women in the US had received COVID-19 vaccines as of September, citing concerns about safety and potential harm to the fetus.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study analyzed data from over 46,000 pregnant women, including 10,064 individuals who had received at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose during pregnancy.
  • More than 98% of women who received COVID-19 vaccines did so during the second or third trimester, while about 1.7% received the vaccine in the first trimester.
  • A majority of women were vaccinated with the shots developed by Pfizer or Moderna.
  • Researchers found no association between COVID-19 vaccination and preterm birth or small-for-gestational-age babies when comparing vaccinated with unvaccinated pregnant women.
  • The trimester when the vaccination was received and the number of COVID-19 vaccine doses received were also not associated with increased risk of preterm birth or with the infant being small for gestational age.
  • The CDC and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommend the COVID-19 vaccine for women who are pregnant, breastfeeding, trying to get pregnant, or might become pregnant in the future.

Statistics:

  • 10,064 individuals (22%) received at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose during pregnancy.
  • 31% of pregnant women in the US had received COVID-19 vaccines as of September.
  • 98% of women who received COVID-19 vaccines did so during the second or third trimester.
  • 1.7% received COVID-19 vaccines in the first trimester.
  • 46,000+ pregnant women were included in the study.

Sources:

  • Yale University, news release, Jan. 4, 2022
  • Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report
  • U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
  • American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG)

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