CDC Statement on Health Advisory During Pregnancy | CDC Online Newsroom

Today, the CDC issued an urgent health advisory to increase COVID-19 vaccination in pregnant people, recently pregnant (including those who are breastfeeding), who are trying to become pregnant now, or who may become pregnant in the future. future to prevent serious illness. , death and adverse pregnancy outcomes.

The health advisory of the CDC strongly recommends vaccination against COVID-19 before or during pregnancy, because the benefits of vaccination for pregnant women and their fetuses or infants outweigh any known or potential risks. In addition, the advisory calls on health services and clinicians to educate pregnant women about the benefits of vaccination and the safety of recommended vaccines.

According to CDC data, only 31% of pregnant women have been vaccinated against COVID-19, and vaccination rates vary widely by race and ethnicity. Immunization coverage is highest among pregnant Asians (45.7%), but lowest among pregnant Hispanics or Latinos (25%), and lowest among pregnant blacks (15.6%).

Until September 27^e, there were more than 125,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in pregnant women including more than 22,000 hospitalized and 161 deaths; including 22 deaths that occurred in August alone. Cases of COVID-19 in symptomatic pregnant people have a double risk of ICU admission and a 70% increased risk of death. Pregnant people with COVID-19 are at increased risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes that could include premature birth, stillbirth, and admission to the intensive care unit of a newborn baby also infected with COVID-19.

The opinion is available on https://emergency.cdc.gov/han/2021/han00453.asp.

Assign the following to CDC Director Rochelle P. Walensky, MD, MPH

“Pregnancy can be both a special time and a stressful time – and pregnancy during a pandemic is an added concern for families. I strongly encourage women who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant to discuss with their health care provider the protective benefits of the COVID-19 vaccine to ensure the safety of their babies and themselves. “