U.S. Centers for Disease Control released a significant report on January 4, 2021. It based its findings on patient histories of more than 40,000 expectant mothers. The core conclusion confirms COVID vaccine does not affect preterm risk of early baby delivery. This is an important finding along the road to universal vaccination.
What We Know About This Important Study
Researchers from Yale University, New Haven Connecticut co-led the study in conjunction with scientists from other noteworthy institutions. They gathered their data from eight health care organizations sharing information via the Vaccine Safety Datalink Project.
The vaccination status of the more than 40,000 expectant mothers in the study was as follows:
1… Some 22% of the sample had at least one vaccine dose during their pregnancy.
2… However, 98% of the 22% received vaccination during their second or third trimester.
3… Close to 96% of these vaccines were mRNA products by Pfizer or Moderna.
The researchers compared the patient records of vaccinated and unvaccinated mothers. They did not find evidence suggesting a link between COVID-19 vaccinations during pregnancy, and preterm birth or smaller babies.
Therefore COVID Vaccine Does Not Affect Preterm Risk
This study is important because pregnant mothers in the U.S. have previously been reluctant to get vaccinated. This has long been a medical concern, because they are at relative risk for severe illness and adverse birth outcomes.
Pregnant women with COVID-19 are more likely to require admission into intensive care, invasive ventilation, and machine-assisted blood oxygenation, according to U.S. Centers for Disease Control. They also have an increased risk of severe disease, and death compared with non-pregnant people.
This finding supports the approach among scientists that COVID vaccination is safe during pregnancy. Therefore we hope more expectant mothers will take up the offer, now they know COVID vaccine does not affect their preterm risk profiles.
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Preview Image: Pregnancy and COVID-19
