BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — After looking at new data and reports, the CDC recommends that people who are pregnant get fully vaccinated against COVID-19 if they haven't already.
Doctors say the vaccine is safe for someone who is expecting, to get at any point during their pregnancy, no matter the trimester.
"There is not an increased risk of miscarriage, regardless of which trimester, the patient receives the vaccine, and that we are seeing more and more severe COVID disease in our pregnant patients, the benefits of the vaccine, have been shown to outweigh the risk," Assistant Professor at UAB's Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Audra Williams, M.D. said.
Health officials across the state have noticed an increase in COVID-19 positive pregnant women in their hospitals.
Dr. Williams explains, "Of our patients that are admitted to the hospital, whether they're being admitted while they're still pregnant, for labor and delivery or those that are postpartum, 25% of those patients are currently COVID Positive.
Doctors are saying that the vaccine does not impact the outcome of the pregnancy, or the health of the child.
"There are no differences in pregnancy outcomes between women that are vaccinated or unvaccinated," Dr. Williams said.
If you are pregnant or may become pregnant, consult with your doctor before you receive the vaccine.