COVID-19 Vaccination During Pregnancy Is Safe, Has Multiple Benefits
Facts And Fact Checking,Coronavirus Vaccine,Pregnancy
Pregnancy puts people at elevated risk of severe COVID-19. Young babies also are particularly vulnerable to hospitalization from COVID-19. Maternal vaccination reduces these risks.
The mRNA COVID-19 vaccines come with similar side effects regardless of whether a person is pregnant. Research does not show increased risk of miscarriage, birth defects or other pregnancy complications after vaccination, and it indicates vaccination may reduce the risk of preterm birth and stillbirth. A study published Oct. 23 in JAMA Pediatrics adds to the evidence that the mRNA COVID-19 vaccines are safe and do not lead to problems for newborn babies and infants when given to their mothers during pregnancy.
Going against the now-extensive record on COVID-19 vaccines and pregnancy, a recent Instagram post claimed that there is “No Discernable Benefit of COVID-19 Vaccination in Pregnancy.” The post was quoting a Substack newsletter from Dr. Peter McCullough, a prolific spreader of vaccine misinformation. The newsletter focused on the new JAMA Pediatrics study on vaccine safety, also claiming that it found “No Assurances on Safety.”
“Surely there was no benefit of COVID-19 vaccination, so why expose mothers and infants to any risk at all?” the newsletter misleadingly concluded. We reached out to McCullough with questions but did not receive a response.
