Common Questions about Vaccination during Pregnancy
What are the long-term effects on the baby when a person gets a COVID-19 vaccine during pregnancy?
Scientific studies to date have shown no safety concerns for babies born to people who were vaccinated against COVID-19 during pregnancy. Based on how these vaccines work in the body, experts believe they are unlikely to pose a risk for long-term health effects. CDC continues to monitor, analyze, and disseminate information from people vaccinated during all trimesters of pregnancy to better understand effects on pregnancy and babies.
When during pregnancy should a person get a COVID-19 vaccine?
CDC and professional medical organizations, including the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine, recommend COVID-19 vaccination at any point in pregnancy, as well as booster doses for those eligible. COVID-19 vaccination can protect you from getting very sick from COVID-19, and keeping you as healthy as possible during pregnancy is important for the health of your baby.
Which COVID-19 vaccine should pregnant people receive?
You can choose which COVID-19 vaccine to get. Talk to your healthcare provider and learn which vaccines are available by age and how to stay up to date.
Thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS) is a rare but serious adverse event that causes blood clots in large blood vessels and low platelets (blood cells that help form clots) and is associated with the J&J/Janssen COVID-19 vaccine. Vaccine recipients must be informed of the risks and benefits of J&J/Janssen COVID-19 vaccination. The J&J/Janssen COVID-19 vaccine may be considered in some situations, including for persons who
Had a severe reaction after an mRNA vaccine dose or who have a severe allergy to an ingredient of Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna (mRNA COVID-19 vaccines),
Would otherwise remain unvaccinated for COVID-19 due to limited access to Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna (mRNA COVID-19 vaccines); or
Wants to get the J&J/Janssen COVID-19 vaccine despite the safety concerns
Learn more about the considerations for J&J/Janssen COVID-19 vaccine.
Vaccine Side Effects
Side effects can occur after receiving any of the available COVID-19 vaccines, especially after the second dose for vaccines that require two doses or a booster.
People who are pregnant have not reported different side effects from people who are not pregnant after vaccination with mRNA COVID-19 vaccines (Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines). 1
Fever, for any reason, has been associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes.
Fever in pregnancy may be treated with acetaminophen as needed, in moderation, and in consultation with a healthcare provider.
Learn more at Possible Side Effects After Getting a COVID-19 Vaccine.
Although rare, some people have had severe allergic reactions after receiving a COVID-19 vaccine. Talk with your healthcare provider if you have a history of allergic reaction to any other vaccine or injectable therapy (intramuscular, intravenous, or subcutaneous).
Key considerations you can discuss with your healthcare provider include:
The benefits of vaccination
The unknown risks of developing a severe allergic reaction
If you have an allergic reaction after receiving a COVID-19 vaccine during pregnancy, you can receive treatment for it.
IF YOU ARE PREGNANT AND HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT COVID-19 VACCINE
If you would like to speak to someone about COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy, you can contact MotherToBaby whose experts are available to answer questions in English or Spanish by phone or chat. The free and confidential service is available Monday–Friday, 8am–5pm (local time). To reach MotherToBaby:
Call 1-866-626-6847
Chat live or send an email MotherToBaby