The World Health Organization recommends the COVID-19 vaccine during pregnancy. The best method to guard against the recognized risks of COVID-19 in pregnancy for both women and infants is to be vaccinated. These risks include the mother being admitted to critical care and the baby being born prematurely. Women attempting to conceive do not need to avoid pregnancy after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine, and there is no indication that the vaccine would influence fertility.
Timing of vaccination in pregnancy
There is no robust evidence to guide the timing of vaccination in pregnancy. The COVID-19 vaccines should be effective at any stage of pregnancy. Some women may choose to delay their vaccine until after the first 12 weeks of gestation, which is the period during which the embryo or fetus is most vulnerable to teratogens. Pregnant women are more likely to become seriously unwell when compared to non-pregnant women and have a higher risk of their baby being born prematurely if they develop COVID-19 in their third trimester (after 28 weeks of gestation). Therefore, it is reasonable to aim to have the vaccine before the third trimester, because it takes time for immunity to develop against covid-19. Before getting pregnant, women who had a first dose of the vaccine should complete the course with the same vaccine (including if their first dose was with the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine).
How covid-19 vaccine during pregnancy is beneficial for a child?
At any stage of pregnancy, vaccination is safe and effective. Some women, however, may opt to postpone their vaccination until after the first 12 weeks (when the baby’s growth is most critical) and then get the first dose at any time after that. One dose of the COVID-19 vaccine provides excellent infection immunity; however, it is believed that this protection is not long-lasting and may not continue the whole pregnancy. The second dose is given 8 to 12 weeks after the first. We suggest that you complete the vaccine course before giving birth or entering the third trimester. Since infants cannot get the COVID vaccination, but the vaccine antibodies passed via the placenta or breastfeeding may benefit them. Some babies may be immune to the fatal virus that triggered the pandemic when they were born due to having vaccination of their mothers. Recent studies indicate that although babies are not yet eligible for the COVID vaccination, but they may get protection either during the pregnancy or via their mothers’ vaccination in pregnancy. Vaccines during pregnancy continue to be emphasized for their ability to safeguard two lives at once by avoiding severe disease in both mothers and infants. According to a group of researchers:
“We now have evidence that antibodies produced by the vaccination may pass via the placenta to the infant before delivery and even during lactation.”
Role of healthcare providers in COVID-19 vaccine during pregnancy
If a pregnant woman is unsure about getting the COVID-19 vaccination, the healthcare provider’s responsibility is to help her make a sensible choice via a shared decision-making process. It is not essential to provide proof of this conversation before pregnant women get their vaccine. Healthcare providers on the following topics may counsel pregnant women.
- Pregnant women have a variety of choices about the timing of vaccination
- To avoid the vaccination, with the possibility of getting it later (either later in her pregnancy or after her baby is born) if additional information about the vaccine becomes available.
- To refuse to receive the vaccination entirely; is a woman’s personal decision.
Benefits of COVID-19 vaccine during pregnancy
There are the following benefits of the covid-19 vaccine during pregnancy:
- Significant decrease in severe illness for a pregnant woman.
- Potential decrease in the risk of preterm birth linked with COVID-19.
- COVID-19 transmission to susceptible household members may be reduced.
- COVID-19 has the potential to reduce the risk of miscarriage.
- Passive antibody protection for the infant against COVID-19 transfer
Side-effects of covid-19 vaccine during pregnancy
There are the following side effects of the covid-19 vaccine during pregnancy:
- Minor reactions such as pain, redness, or swelling at the injection site.
- Mild systemic side effects such as tiredness, headache, or myalgia are usually temporary (less than a few days).
- There have been a few cases of thrombotic complications after using the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine.
- According to research, the women who were not vaccinated during pregnancy resulted in preterm delivery (9.4%), less gestational age (3.2%), and severe congenital abnormalities (2.2%) in the UK. In the first trimester or during the preconception phase, none of the women whose infants were born with congenital abnormalities had gotten the COVID-19 vaccination.
- According to another study, a lack of covid-19 vaccination caused 92.3 percent of miscarriages in the first trimester in a USA state.
According to WHO, the covid-19 vaccine during pregnancy is completely safe. Infants cannot get vaccinated but can develop immunity against the covid-19 by taking the antibodies via the placenta in the womb. Covid-19 vaccine during pregnancy safeguards the two lives at the same time. In addition, it prevents premature birth and miscarriage incidents. There’s no specific time to get vaccinated during pregnancy; it ultimately depends on women’s decisions. If someone is experiencing difficulties whether she should be vaccinated or not, she can discuss it with nearby healthcare professionals. The covid-19 vaccine during pregnancy may cause pain, swelling, and redness in the injected site. In addition, it can cause headaches and thrombotic complications. But these side effects are temporary and last for 2-3 days. But if the women don’t get vaccination during pregnancy, then congenital abnormalities and premature death can occur. To avoid all these fatal side effects, vaccination during pregnancy is required, which can be injected from “UrgentWay.” You can get an appointment by reaching out at http://Urgentway.com.