COVID-19 Vaccine
If you are trying to get pregnant, are currently pregnant (or think you could be pregnant), or breastfeeding, you may have questions about whether or not to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.
We’d like to provide you with scientifically-based information so that you can truly make an informed decision about the vaccine. Aligned with CDC and the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology recommendations, we strongly encourage pregnant women, women who are thinking of becoming pregnant, and lactating women to get vaccinated against COVID-19. More information about the COVID vaccine and pregnancy from the CDC can be found here: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/recommendations/pregnancy.html
Also as you may know, the CDC and FDA approved a 3rd dose of the Pfizer vaccine in September, 2021 for people who have previously received a Pfizer COVID vaccine and are in a high-risk group. The full list of high-risk groups can be found on the CDC website; it includes people who are pregnant and postpartum. The Pfizer booster is recommended 6 months after the 2nd vaccine was received. It is not known at this time if a booster is needed for people who have received the Moderna or Johnson & Johnson COVID vaccine. Information about receiving a Pfizer booster can be found here: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/booster-shot.html
The “COVID Vaccination in Pregnancy” working group at the University of Massachusetts Medical School-Baystate also created a great resource including a downloadable guide to help you make your decision. We encourage you to review this information as part of your research into whether or not to receive the vaccine based on an informed decision and your personal circumstances. https://www.baystatehealth.org/covid19/vaccine/pregnancy
If you have ANY questions at all about the COVID vaccine or specific concerns about receiving it, please don’t hesitate to contact us for more information (413-794-8484).
In this section
COVID-19 Helpful Links and Resources:
- CDC COVID-19 Information Center
- Massachusetts Department of Public Health COVID-19 Information Center
- Baystate Health’s Resource Center for COVID-19 including updates, guidance, and hospital initiatives and policies
- The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology resource page for pregnant and breastfeeding women
- Resources for parents during the COVID-19 outbreak from the American Academy of Pediatrics
- Resources from the CDC related to mental health, stress, and coping during the COVID-19 pandemic
- Guidance for the general public from the CDC regarding the use of cloth face coverings to help slow the spread of COVID-19
- COVID-19 Vaccine: Pregnancy and Breastfeeding