Warning: This article contains mention of baby loss which some readers may find distressing.
Recent studies have provided further insights into the effects of the Covid vaccine on children when administered to pregnant women.
Although Covid lockdowns might seem like a distant memory, scientific investigations into vaccine efficacy and COVID-19 continue.
The United States was among the first to develop a vaccine for the virus, yet concerns and hesitation about vaccination persisted, some of which were justified, while others were not.
Currently, certain groups continue to receive annual booster shots to guard against the virus, along with flu vaccinations.
This group includes former US president Donald Trump, who, according to the White House, received a booster shot earlier this month.
His physician released a statement via the White House on October 10: “President Donald J. Trump successfully completed a scheduled follow-up evaluation today at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.
“The visit was part of his ongoing health maintenance plan and included advanced imaging, laboratory testing, and preventive health assessments conducted by a multidisciplinary team of specialists.
“In preparation for upcoming international travel, President Trump also received preventive health screenings and immunizations, including annual influenza and updated COVID-19 booster vaccinations.”
Concerning the vaccine’s safety during pregnancy, an extensive study involving over half a million infants concluded that receiving the vaccine in the first trimester does not heighten the risk of birth defects.
This study, published in JAMA Open, concluded: “MRNA-based COVID-19 vaccines do not appear to have any teratogenic effects [aka, effects developed in utero].”
This follows the Trump administration’s continued rollback of vaccine recommendations, including withdrawing the advice for pregnant women to get vaccinated.
Medical research consistently affirms the vaccine’s safety, emphasizing that contracting COVID-19 during pregnancy leads to worse outcomes for the mother and baby compared to vaccination.
The US Centers for Disease Control states that these adverse outcomes include a heightened likelihood of needing hospitalization, intensive care, or mechanical ventilation due to COVID-19. Severe illness from COVID-19 can be fatal.
For the baby, infection during pregnancy is associated with risks such as ‘preterm birth or stillbirth,’ as noted by the CDC.
If you need support and advice following a pregnancy loss, you can contact Share Pregnancy and Infant Loss Support on 800-821-6819 or [email protected]