Pregnant People Should Get COVID Vaccines, Maternal Health Groups Say | Healthiest Communities Health News
Pregnant and lactating people should be vaccinated against COVID-19, two of the nation’s leading maternal health groups said Friday.
In a press release announcing the strengthened stance, the maternal health groups cited the delta variant and “regional low rates of vaccination in states across the country.”
Cartoons on the Coronavirus
COVID-19 infection, they said, increases the risk of severe complications or death among pregnant people.
“Recent data have shown that more than 95% of those who are hospitalized and/or dying from COVID-19 are those who have remained unvaccinated,” the release said. “Pregnant individuals who have decided to wait until after delivery to be vaccinated may be inadvertently exposing themselves to an increased risk of severe illness or death. Those who have recently delivered and were not vaccinated during pregnancy are also strongly encouraged to get vaccinated as soon as possible.”
The vaccination recommendation marks a shift as the pandemic and information surrounding it has evolved. In December, for example, ACOG issued guidance to providers saying that a COVID-19 vaccine should not be withheld from pregnant people.
Like the new guidance, previous ACOG guidance earlier this month strongly recommended that all eligible people receive a COVID-19 vaccine and said providers “should lead by example by being vaccinated and encouraging eligible patients to be vaccinated as well.” Specifically referencing pregnant people, it stated that they should “have access to COVID-19 vaccines.”
