The COVID-19 vaccine is highly recommended for those 6 months and above. Therefore, even those who are breastfeeding, trying to get pregnant, or currently pregnant should get vaccinated. Below is everything you need to know about the COVID vaccine and pregnancy.

Are You Likely to Show COVID Symptoms if You Are Pregnant?

While many people are asymptomatic or show mild symptoms, according to the CDC, you are more likely to show severe symptoms from COVID-19 if you were recently pregnant or are currently pregnant compared to those who are not pregnant. Furthermore, you can have complications that affect your pregnancy and the fetus if you contract COVID-19 while pregnant.

For example, being pregnant and contracting COVID-19 may lead to the delivery of stillborn or pre-term infants. Therefore, if you are pregnant, you should ensure that you are up to date on your COVID-19 shots as specified by your doctor.

Is the COVID-19 Vaccination Safe During Pregnancy?

Yes, the COVID-19 vaccine is safe during pregnancy. The vaccine is beneficial to both the mother and the child. Furthermore, the vaccine's benefits outweigh the risks for a pregnant woman.

The vaccine does not cause the coronavirus because the vaccines administered do not contain the live virus. Safety monitoring systems reported no concerns from people who received an MRNA COVID-19 vaccine when pregnant. The vaccine does not cause or increase the risk for adverse events such as miscarriage for pregnant women who take the vaccine before or in the early stages of pregnancy.

Interestingly, many of the women who were hospitalized when pregnant were unvaccinated against COVID-19. At the same time, other studies have shown that the vaccine may help reduce the risk of severe illness during pregnancy.

However, the Centers for Disease Control is still monitoring the effects of the vaccine throughout pregnancy. This type of research is crucial, as the research will help the public understand the effects of the vaccine on pregnant women throughout all trimesters.

Are There Factors That Can Increase the Risk of Contracting COVID-19 During Pregnancy?

Being pregnant can increase your risk of getting COVID-19 if you are unvaccinated. Other factors that increase your susceptibility to the virus include:

• Being over 25 years old
• Underlying medical conditions
• Living and working in places with high numbers of COVID-19 cases and low vaccination levels
• Living amongst minority groups that are at an increased risk of contracting COVID-19 because of health inequalities

When Should You Get the COVID-19 Vaccine While Pregnant?

You can get the COVID-19 vaccine at any point in your pregnancy. Your doctor will recommend when you will need your next booster shot. Health professionals recommend getting the Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, or Novavax vaccines. Vaccines such as the Johnson & Johnson are only authorized for use under special circumstances when a woman is pregnant.

You can get the COVID-19 vaccine along with other vaccines. However, you should talk to your healthcare provider if you have any concerns about your vaccine schedule.

Are There Any Adverse Effects of the COVID-19 Vaccine When Pregnant?

Like other vaccines, you can get side effects after receiving COVID-19. You will likely feel these side effects after the second or booster doses. Pregnant individuals have reported the same side effects as those who are not pregnant.

One of the most common side effects is fever. If you experience fever during pregnancy, contact your healthcare provider for treatment. You should also let your healthcare team know if you have a history of allergic reactions after receiving other forms of injectable therapy or vaccines.

If you believe that you suffered any adverse effects because of the healthcare team's negligence during vaccination, a vaccination lawyer can help you with your case. Contact us at Vaccination Injury Lawyers for more information on how we can help with your case.