COVID-19 Vaccination for Pregnant and Lactating Patients

We understand that our pregnant and breast feeding patients have concerns about the COVID-19 vaccines that are becoming available. This letter is to give you information so that you may make an informed decision on whether to be vaccinated.

Pregnant patients may be at an increased risk for severe illness and complications from COVID-19 infection. If infected, there is evidence that the virus does not cross through the placenta to the baby.

The current messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines available under Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) do not contain live virus. Because pregnant and lactating women were not included in the vaccine trials, there is no safety data available for use in these populations. There is also no data that indicate that the vaccines should be contraindicated. Two of our guiding agencies, The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM), recommend that the COVID-19 vaccine be available to pregnant and lactating women who meet vaccination priority criteria. Pregnant and breast feeding healthcare workers in high risk areas may want to consider being vaccinated.

It is important that you consider all of the data before making your decision. If you are breast feeding and choose to be vaccinated, you do not need to avoid starting to breast feed or to discontinue breast feeding. It is important that you follow other prevention measures such as wearing a mask, frequently washing your hands or using hand sanitizer, and maintaining social distancing.

Information changes rapidly and recommendations are currently evolving. Valuable resources include:

• https://www.acog.org/en/clinical/clinical-guidance/practice-advisory/articles/2020/12/vaccinating-Pregnant-and-Lactating-Patients-Against-COVID-19
• https://www.smfm.org/covidclinical
• https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/recommendations/pregnancy.html
• https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/acip-recs/vacc-specific/covid-19/clinical-considerations.html

Your health is important to us. If you have questions or additional concerns, we can discuss at your next appointment or you may call the office at 336-273-2835.

**Exception: Drs. Fogleman, Mody and Almquist acknowledge the agency statements above and are recommending it to their pregnant and lactating patients and patients who are attempting to conceive.

The Providers at Wendover Ob-Gyn & Infertility, Inc.