Having a COVID-19 infection while pregnant increases the chance of severe illness and pregnancy complications. Studies have shown that pregnant women who are vaccinated are less likely to get very sick with COVID-19. Therefore COVID-19 vaccination is recommended for women who are pregnant, trying to get pregnant now, or who might become pregnant in the future, to protect them from COVID-19. It is also recommended for women who are breastfeeding.
Infants are at risk for life-threatening complications from COVID-19, including acute respiratory failure. Recent studies of COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy suggest the possibility of transplacental transfer of SARS-CoV-2–specific antibodies from the mother to her baby. As in the case of other vaccine-preventable diseases, maternal immunization can provide protection to infants against COVID-19, especially during the high-risk first 6 months of life, through passive transplacental antibody transfer.
In summary, research data show that COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy might help prevent COVID-19 hospitalization of both pregnant women and their infants.
