**Pregnant and Looking to Get Pregnant? Here’s What You Need to Know About COVID-19 Vaccines**
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve, it’s important to stay informed about the latest developments, especially if you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant.
**Can I Get the COVID-19 Vaccine While Pregnant?**
Yes, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that pregnant people get vaccinated against COVID-19. The vaccines are safe and effective for pregnant women and their babies. They can protect you from getting seriously ill, being hospitalized, or even dying from COVID-19.
**Is It Safe to Get the COVID-19 Vaccine While Breastfeeding?**
Yes, the CDC also recommends that breastfeeding people get vaccinated against COVID-19. The vaccines are safe for breastfeeding women and their babies. They can protect you from getting seriously ill, being hospitalized, or even dying from COVID-19. The antibodies you develop from the vaccine can also pass through your breast milk to your baby, providing them with some protection against the virus.
**What Are the Benefits of Getting Vaccinated While Pregnant or Breastfeeding?**
Getting vaccinated while pregnant or breastfeeding has many benefits, including:
* **Protecting yourself from serious illness:** COVID-19 can be a serious illness, especially for pregnant women. Vaccination can help protect you from getting sick, being hospitalized, or even dying from COVID-19.
* **Protecting your baby:** Antibodies from the vaccine can pass through the placenta to your baby, providing them with some protection against COVID-19. This is especially important for babies who are too young to be vaccinated themselves.
* **Reducing the risk of preterm birth and low birth weight:** Vaccination can help reduce the risk of preterm birth and low birth weight, which are both associated with increased health risks for babies.
**What Are the Risks of Getting Vaccinated While Pregnant or Breastfeeding?**
The risks of getting vaccinated while pregnant or breastfeeding are very small. The most common side effects of the vaccine are:
* **Pain at the injection site**
* **Fatigue**
* **Headache**
* **Muscle aches**
* **Chills**
* **Fever**
These side effects usually go away within a few days. There have been no serious side effects reported in pregnant or breastfeeding women who have received the COVID-19 vaccine.
**How Can I Get Vaccinated?**
You can get vaccinated at your doctor’s office, a local pharmacy, or a community health center. The vaccine is free for everyone, regardless of their insurance status.
**I’m Still Hesitant About Getting Vaccinated. What Can I Do?**
If you’re still hesitant about getting vaccinated, talk to your doctor. They can answer your questions and help you make the best decision for you and your baby.
**Additional Resources**
* [CDC: COVID-19 Vaccination for Pregnant People](https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/pregnancy/index.html)
* [ACOG: Recommendations for Pregnant and Breastfeeding Women](https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/covid-19-vaccination-considerations-for-obstetric-gynecologic-care)
* [March of Dimes: COVID-19 Vaccines and Pregnancy](https://www.marchofdimes.org/pregnancy/covid-19-vaccines-and-pregnancy.aspx).
