editorial
COVID-19 vaccinations and pregnancies
BY SHARMILA MAKHIJA AND
ELIZABETH A. DUTHIE
As practicing clinicians at Montefi
ore Health System/Albert Einstein
College of Medicine’s Department of
Obstetrics & Gynecology and Women’s
Health in the Bronx, we have received
a lot of questions about the long-term
effects of the COVID-19 vaccine from
people planning to become pregnant,
currently pregnant or postpartum and
breastfeeding.
Issues related to maternal health
and safety are at the forefront of our
minds as we work to reduce disparities
in maternal mortality and provide care
in the community as well as the hospital.
COVID-19 is challenging our efforts
and burdening pregnant people disproportionately,
as evidenced by a recent
uptick in the numbers of COVID+ pregnant
women in intensive care units.
The low vaccination rates for pregnant
women – 22% compared with 60% for
the general population – is a signifi cant
driver in this alarming trend. We know
enough about the coronavirus to recognize
how dangerous it can be for longterm
health, especially for women.
According to data from the U.S. Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC), COVID-19 infection puts pregnant
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BRONX TIMES REPORTER,12 SEPT. 24-30, 2021
people at increased risk of severe
complications and even death. Risks
are even higher for pregnant patients
with underlying health conditions such
as diabetes, obesity and cardiovascu lar
disease. On the other hand, there are no
known similar risks for the COVID-19
vaccine. In fact, science has established
the safety of the vaccines for those seeking
to become pregnant or are pregnant,
and these folks are strongly encouraged
to get vaccinated.
Aligned with the CDC, the American
College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
(ACOG) and the Society for
Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM), two
of the leading organizations representing
specialists in obstetric care, endorse
vaccination for pregnant individuals.
Their recommendations “refl ect
evidence demonstrating the safe use
of the COVID-19 vaccines during pregnancy
from tens of thousands of reporting
individuals over the last several
months, as well as the current low vaccination
rates and concerning increase
in cases.”
Recently, the two-dose Pfi zer-BioNTech
COVID-19 vaccine received full approval
for people ages 16 and older from
the U.S. Food and Drug Administration
(FDA). To be granted this respected designation,
this vaccine went through a
rigorous analysis of its benefi ts, risks,
clinical trial data, vaccine reactions
and, perhaps most importantly, data on
how people fared six months after being
fully vaccinated. This full approval
marks a signifi cant milestone for this
vaccine and should instill confi dence
in its safety and effi cacy for those still
deliberating about receiving the COVID
19 vaccine.
Every pregnancy is different, and all
patients should consult their doctor or a
healthcare professional with any questions
they may have. We want to assure
you that the COVID-19 vaccines are safe
if you are planning to become pregnant,
are pregnant, or are postpartum and
breastfeeding. And we strongly encourage
all women and girls 12 years of age
and older to get the COVID-19 vaccine.
In fact, the need for everyone 12
years of age and older to get vaccinated
is more urgent than ever.
COVID-19 remains a threat in the
greater New York City area, especially
with the rise in the more easily transmissible
Delta variant. Recent available
data from most states indicates that the
vast majority of those who are hospitalized
from COVID-19 are not vaccinated.
The Delta variant can spread easily and
infect anyone, regardless of age – more
than 20% of new cases nationwide are
children, according to the American
Academy of Pediatrics.
Our work on reducing health disparities
started well before this public
health emergency and will continue
long after. We strongly encourage people
who are pregnant or anticipate being
pregnant in the near future to continue
to ask questions and consult with
trusted healthcare professionals to dispel
the myths and to overcome their
fears related to the COVID-19 vaccine.
Together, we can build a community
of immunity in New York and
defeat the coronavirus.
Sharmila Makhija MD MBA, is
a professor and department chair,
Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology
and Women’s Health, Montefi
ore Health System and Albert Einstein
College of Medicine. Elizabeth
A Duthie, RN, Ph.D., CPPS, is the
director of Patient Safety, Network
Performance Group, assistant professor
of Obstetrics & Gynecology and
Women’s Health, Montefi ore Health
System and Albert Einstein College of
Medicine.
BTR
is strictly prohibited.
Photo courtesy Getty Images
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