Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine appointments are available to our patients. Sign up for Connect today to schedule your vaccination.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG)—the professional membership organization for obstetrician–gynecologists—has developed initial guidance for COVID-19 vaccine use for pregnant and lactating patients. Laura E. Riley, MD, chair of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Given Foundation Professor in Clinical Obstetrics and Gynecology Weill Cornell Medical College, Cornell University, helped draft the evolving recommendations.
“If a pregnant or lactating patient meets the criteria for vaccination, vaccines should not be withheld,” Dr. Riley explains. “Although data on these patients isn’t yet available, there also is no biologic reason to suspect that the vaccine would be unsafe in pregnancy or while breastfeeding. Importantly, we do know that COVID 19 disease in pregnant women is associated with greater risk for severe illness leading to ICU admission and need for mechanical ventilation.”
Pregnant patients should have access to vaccine trial data and weigh the benefits and risks of receiving the vaccine with their physicians, discussing the viral transmission rate in their community, vaccine efficacy, and virus risks and side effects to the mother and fetus or newborn, she adds.
“While a conversation with a clinician may be helpful,” the ACOG guidance states, “It should not be required prior to vaccination as this may cause unnecessary barriers to access.”
The organization also outlines several considerations regarding the vaccine:
ACOG also recommends that patients trying to become pregnant who meet vaccination criteria receive the vaccine, and says that those who have completed the vaccine series don’t need to delay pregnancy.
In fact, Dr. Riley adds, “If a patient becomes pregnant between the first and second vaccine doses, the patient should receive the second dose as indicated.”
Subscribe to our mailing list to stay up to date on all the latest health news and important updates from Weill Cornell Medicine.