Vaccine Guidance
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) has published a Practice Advisory titled, Vaccinating Pregnant and Lactating Patients Against COVID-19. ACOG recommends that COVID-19 vaccines should not be withheld from pregnant individuals who meet criteria for vaccination based on ACIP-recommended priority groups. If you are unsure about the COVID-19 vaccine, its efficacy and its safety for your pregnant and lactating patients, this Advisory includes an excellent summary of key information and recommendations regarding the vaccine.
In addition to ACOG, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides guidance about COVID-19 as it relates to pregnancy and caring for a newborn. With regard to the vaccine, the CDC states that “people who are pregnant and part of a group recommended to receive the COVID-19 vaccine may choose to be vaccinated.”
The COVID-19 vaccination is ultimately a personal choice, but there is a lot of great information available about the vaccine’s safety and efficacy that you can provide to your patients so they feel confident in making their decision.
Patient Resources
If your patients who are pregnant or breastfeeding are expressing hesitancy or concern about the vaccine, ACOG offers two great resources for patients:- Coronavirus (COVID-19), Pregnancy, and Breastfeeding: A Message for Patients. As more information becomes available, ACOG is updating this page with frequently asked questions about the virus, vaccine safety, and staying healthy.
- How Do We Know the COVID-19 Vaccines Are Safe and Effective? One Expert Explains. In this post, Dr. Shana Miles shares what we know today about the vaccine, what she tells her patients, and how she’s making decisions for her own family with regards to the vaccine.