The vaccine against COVID-19 is being provided in all the autonomous communities. And some questions arise, one of the most frequent is whether pregnant women can be vaccinated, or that they are thinking of staying pregnant And we say this because although the experts do not expect that the components of the vaccines have a toxic potential in the genes, they recommend avoiding pregnancy until after 1 month of the administration of the second dose.
The Pfizer and BioNTech vaccines are those that are being put in Spain, as of today. We also remember that the vaccination campaign against COVID-19, leaves out those under 16 and pregnant women.
Minors will still not be able to be vaccinated, because all the trials that have been carried out on the vaccine left out those under 16 years of age, due to their young age. However, pregnant women can be vaccinated, not in this first phase, but later. We tell you when and how.
Contraindications of the COVID-19 vaccine in pregnant women
In general terms, any vaccination of pregnant women should be postponed until the end of pregnancy. If the pregnant woman is at high risk of exposure or high risk of complications, vaccination can be considered on an individual basis.
With regards to COVID-19 vaccine no indication of safety concerns in vaccinating pregnant women. There are also no data on the possible effects of the vaccine during lactation, or on milk production, or on the infant.
Taking into account the type of vaccine currently licensed, that of Comirnaty, from Pfizer / BioNTech it is not considered to pose a risk to the infant, nor to the mother. What the latest scientific studies on the incidence of COVID-19 in pregnant women do indicate is that this group has a higher risk of developing severe symptoms of the disease than the general population.
Recommendations from professionals
The Federation of Spanish Medical Scientific Associations (facme) recommends not generally vaccinating pregnant women in this first stage of the vaccination plan. And it makes it clear that as more information becomes available, decisions will be adjusted.
From this federation they clarify that, taking into account the technical data sheet of the vaccine, it would be possible to vaccinate pregnant women, since pregnancy is not a contraindication. But that should be a voluntary and informed decision of the pregnant woman based on her own individual benefit-risk balance. From the point of view of the risks of vaccination in pregnant women, there is practically no experience. No data are available on the possible transfer of the vaccine to the placenta.
Different scientific societies point out that Animal studies do not reveal direct or indirect harmful effects with respect to pregnancy. Neither in embryonic or fetal development, nor in delivery or postnatal development. It seems unlikely that the components of the vaccine pose a risk to the pregnant woman or the fetus.
How the COVID-19 Vaccine May Affect Pregnant Women
In certain cases, the choice to get vaccinated or not, has more to do with other risk factors than with pregnancy. For example obesity, smoking or diabetes immunosuppression are some of the pathologies that could determine the suitability or not when administering the vaccine against COVID-19.
Scientific societies do recommend do not give the second dose in the event that the woman confirms her pregnancy after receiving the first dose. In any case, health professionals will do a special follow-up in these cases. A record will be kept of any effects of the vaccine on both the woman and the baby during pregnancy and after delivery.
We hope we have helped you clarify your ideas about whether to vaccinate or not, if you are pregnant, in any case it is a personal decision, which must be informed and spoiled. Since vaccination against the coronavirus is not mandatory, but voluntary.