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There are reports of women considering skipping their second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine after they found out about their pregnancy. This fear and anxiety is stemming from limited data on the safety of the vaccine on pregnant women.
But medical experts highlight that the second dose needs to be administered to pregnant women as scheduled.
A lot of you may be confused about what you need to do if you find out about your pregnancy after taking the first jab of the COVID vaccine. There are some who may consider not wanting to take the vaccine at all.
Here’s what the medical experts from Johns Hopkins Medicine have to say about this:
Pregnancy After Covid Vaccine: Should I Get The Second Dose?
Health experts recommend that even if you are pregnant after the first jab, you need to take the second dose. Image Courtesy: Pexel
Experts advise that women who discover they are pregnant in the weeks between getting the first and second dose of the COVID vaccine made by Pfizer or Moderna should receive their second dose as planned.
“At this time, there’s no evidence that the COVID-19 vaccine increases risks for unborn babies in the first trimester, so if a woman gets the first dose of the vaccine around the time she gets pregnant, it’s recommended that she go ahead and get the second shot,” says Jeanne Sheffield, M.D at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.
This advice comes right after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in an email response to CBS News said, there is “growing evidence” about the safety of COVID-19 vaccines during pregnancy. Their email further reiterated their guidance on vaccinations for pregnant people.
According to the latest guidelines, “If you are pregnant, you may choose to receive a COVID-19 vaccine,” and “you may want to have a conversation with your healthcare provider.” This is a much less stronger statement in comparison to CDC’s head’s previous statement.
Speaking at a White House COVID-19 briefing last week, CDC Head Dr Rochelle Walensky had said, “CDC recommends that pregnant people receive the COVID-19 vaccine,” citing a new study that found no evidence to suggest that the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines pose risk during pregnancy.
The health organisations have thus highlighted that pregnant women can take COVID-19 vaccines in consultation with their health care provider.
While your concern is about the safety of the vaccine in your pregnancy, we must mention that pregnant women are at a higher risk of serious illness from the virus.
Here’s Why Pregnant Women Need The Vaccine
Pregnant women are prone to more severe illness from COVID, hence vaccination for his demography becomes all the more important. Image courtesy: Flickr
Data published by the CDC cautions that pregnant women who contract COVID-19 have a higher likelihood of hospitalisation. They also face an increased risk of death. Hence, vaccination for this demography is necessary.
For this reason, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) mentioned earlier in the year that the coronavirus vaccine “should not be withheld from pregnant individuals.”
On the other hand, WHO stated that those pregnant women at high risk of exposure to SARS-CoV-2 (e.g. health workers) or who have comorbidities should take the vaccination in consultation with their healthcare provider.
WHO further states that even though very little data is available to assess vaccine safety in pregnancy, but there is also no specific reason to believe that there will be risks that would outweigh the benefits.
So, even if you found out that you became pregnancy after taking the first COVID vaccine, don’t miss your second dose. More importantly, consult your doctor and proceed.
Side-effects Of The COVID-19 Vaccine
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Image source: iStock
Vaccination is the best defence against COVID-19. But you also need to prepare for the side effects, which are normal. According to the study cited by CDC, some women reported the following side effects:
- Pain at the injection spot
- Headaches
- Fatigue
- Muscle aches
If questions that bother you include – Is the vaccine safe to take? or I have just found out about my pregnancy after taking a Covid vaccine, should I take the second dose? Speak to your doctor today.
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The data around the safety of the vaccine is inadequate at present, and it’s only natural to worry.
While vaccination is a personal choice, you also need to measure the risks of getting infected with COVID-19 during your pregnancy. For instance, if you live in a country witnessing a massive surge in infections, getting the vaccine would be a wise choice.
In these times of crisis, the health authorities are urging people to act responsibly. Do remember, the vaccine does not guarantee protection against the virus but will reduce its harmful effect on your body.
Millions Are Missing Their Second Dose, Says CDC
Not only pregnant women, but millions of people (specifically Americans) are not receiving their second jab, according to CDC.
Nearly 8 percent of the people who’ve so far received their first dose of either Pfizer or Moderna vaccines have missed their second dose, according to NYT. There are several reasons a growing number of people are choosing not to receive the second dose.
Some just want to avoid the experience of any potential side-effect. While others feel that one dose should be enough protection against the virus. This is in spite of the health authorities reiterating time and again to complete the doses.
COVID-19 Vaccination In Singapore
Singapore has allowed people to choose from either Moderna or Pfizer-BioNTech shot. These are the respective doses that you need to administer to complete your vaccination.
If you are going for the Moderna vaccine, you need to take two doses four weeks apart. While Pfizer users would need two doses taken three weeks apart.
Remember to take all precautions and follow safety protocols even after you receive the vaccine jab. Though COVID-19 cases in Singapore are under control, it is not the time to put your guard down. Wear your masks always, maintain social distancing and avoid crowded places. Stay home, stay safe!
Disclaimer: It is advisable to follow CDC and WHO guidelines on all developments related to COVID-19.
News source: New York Times
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