Learn About the Latest Research on COVID Vaccines, Pregnancy and Breastfeeding from Our Lawyers for COVID Vaccine Injury Claims

Is it safe to get pregnant after receiving a COVID immunization? Is it safe to get a COVID shot while you are expecting? What about breastfeeding—are there any concerns for mothers who have recently gotten (or who are thinking about getting) a COVID vaccine? These are all very important questions; and, fortunately, the answers have become clearer over the past few years. But, some concerns still remain; and, as with all health-related decisions, it is important to ensure that you have all of the information you need to feel confident in your decision-making. Learn more from our lawyers for COVID vaccine injury claims:

The COVID Vaccine and Pregnancy

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend the COVID vaccine for “[e]veryone ages 6 months and older.” This includes “people who are pregnant . . . or who might become pregnant in the future.” Other health authorities echo this recommendation. For example:

“Waiting to get the COVID vaccine is risky. . . . If you get COVID while you are pregnant, you can become seriously ill. Getting sick with COVID can lead to a higher risk for miscarriage, pre-term birth, stillbirth and death. . . . The benefits of the vaccine during pregnancy continue when you become new parents.” – American Academy of Pediatrics

“Pregnant people are at an increased risk of having worse outcomes if they contract a respiratory disease than when compared to the general population. That includes COVID-19, the flu or RSV. . . . This higher risk of complications from COVID-19 while pregnant can affect the fetus you’re carrying. . . . The number one thing you can do to protect yourself from COVID-19 is get vaccinated. The COVID-19 vaccines are safe and highly effective for individuals over the age of six months, including those who are pregnant.” – University of Chicago School of Medicine

“Women who receive an mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccination or booster during pregnancy can provide their infants with strong protection against symptomatic COVID-19 infection for at least six months after birth. . . . These findings, published in Pediatrics, reinforce the importance of receiving both a COVID-19 vaccine and booster during pregnancy to ensure that infants are born with robust protection that lasts until they are old enough to be vaccinated.” – National Institutes of Health

Some studies have also found that women who are pregnant face greater health risks if they contract COVID—potentially making vaccination even more important during pregnancy. For example, Texas Children’s writes that, “pregnant women are up to five times more likely to be hospitalized, three to four times more likely to need to be cared for in an ICU, and two to three times more likely to require life-saving measures . . . [and] there is at least a small increased risk of maternal death, stillbirth, and preterm birth with COVID-19 disease during pregnancy.” Similarly, the CDC writes: “If you are pregnant or were recently pregnant, you are more likely to get very sick from COVID-19, compared to those who are not pregnant[; and], if you have COVID-19 during pregnancy, you are at increased risk of complications that can affect your pregnancy and your baby from serious illness from COVID-19.” The CDC also advises:

  • Since COVID vaccines do not contain a live virus, they cannot cause pregnant mothers or their babies to contract COVID-19.
  • The mRNA COVID vaccines have not shown any increased risks for complications during pregnancy.
  • Getting a COVID vaccine during pregnancy builds antibodies that can protect both the mother and the baby after birth.

With these considerations in mind, if you are pregnant, think you may be pregnant or are thinking about becoming pregnant, our lawyers for COVID vaccine injury claims recommend consulting with your doctor if you have any safety-related questions or concerns. Your doctor should be able to provide advice based on your specific health circumstances, and then you can use this advice to make an informed decision.

The COVID Vaccine and Breastfeeding

What about breastfeeding after getting vaccinated or getting a COVID vaccine while you are nursing? The health authorities quoted above all say that it is generally safe to get a COVID vaccine before or during breastfeeding as well. For example:

“CDC recommends that people who are breastfeeding . . . get vaccinated and stay up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines. . . .Vaccines are safe and effective at preventing COVID-19 in people who are breastfeeding a baby[ and a]vailable data on the safety of COVID-19 vaccination while breastfeeding indicate no severe reactions after vaccination in the breastfeeding person or the breastfed child.” – U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

“Getting vaccinated while . . . breastfeeding can protect you and your baby. . . . Antibodies from the vaccine are passed to your baby through milk while breastfeeding . . . . Studies including hundreds of thousands of people worldwide show that vaccination is safe and beneficial for . . . breastfeeding women — and their babies. The many benefits of getting vaccinated while . . . breastfeeding far outweigh any possible risks or side effects.” – University of Chicago School of Medicine

Similarly, Harvard Medical School states that, “[g]etting vaccinated during . . . the postpartum period can help protect you and your baby after birth. Unlike COVID-19, some of a mother’s immunity against COVID-19 from a vaccine can pass through breast milk to your baby.” It goes on to state that, “[w]hen a person gets vaccinated while breastfeeding, their immune system develops antibodies that protect against COVID-19. . . . [and n]ewborns of vaccinated mothers who breastfeed can benefit from these antibodies against COVID-19.”

In short, many leading health authorities say that breastfeeding should not impact your decision regarding whether to get vaccinated against COVID-19. Once again, if you have any questions or concerns, the best thing you can do is consult with your doctor to ensure that you are making an informed decision based on your specific circumstances.

FAQs: Pregnancy, Breastfeeding, COVID Vaccines and You

Will Getting a COVID Vaccine While I am Pregnant or Breastfeeding Help Protect My Baby from the Virus?

According to the CDC, “COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy builds antibodies that can help protect the baby.” The CDC also reports that studies have also shown mothers who have received a COVID vaccine have antibodies in their breastmilk. This means that breastfeeding after getting vaccinated may help to protect your baby. Other health authorities have reported similar findings, though research on the effects of COVID vaccination on fetuses and newborns remains ongoing.

Are There Risks Associated with Getting a COVID Vaccine While Pregnant or Breastfeeding?

There do not appear to be any additional risks associated with getting a COVID vaccine while pregnant or breastfeeding compared to getting vaccinated at any other time. Additionally, since mothers can pass antibodies to their babies during pregnancy and through breastfeeding, getting vaccinated may help protect your baby until your baby is able to get a COVID vaccine at six months of age.

Can My Baby Get COVID-19 from Breastmilk If I Got a COVID Vaccine Before or During Pregnancy?

No, your baby cannot get COVID-19 from breastmilk if you got a COVID vaccine before or during pregnancy. Since the COVID vaccines do not contain live strains of the COVID-19 virus, they cannot cause an infection in the recipient or the recipient’s baby. However, as the vaccines are not 100 percent effective at preventing COVID-19, infection is still a possibility for vaccinated mothers and their babies.

What Should I Do if I Have Concerns About Complications from a COVID Vaccine While I Am Pregnant or Breastfeeding?

If you have concerns about complications from a COVID vaccine while you are pregnant or breastfeeding, you should discuss your concerns with your doctor as soon as possible. While health authorities consider the COVID vaccines to be generally safe (and they generally consider vaccination to be safer than remaining unvaccinated), there are known side effects, and COVID vaccinations have resulted in serious injuries and illnesses in a very small percentage of cases.  

Is Compensation Available to Mothers and Families Affected By Complications from COVID Vaccines During Pregnancy or Nursing?

You should also talk to a lawyer if you have concerns about complications from a COVID vaccine while you are pregnant or breastfeeding. If you or your baby has experienced vaccine-related complications, you could be facing significant and long-term costs. In this scenario, compensation may be available; and, if so, an experienced lawyer will be able to seek the compensation you deserve at no out-of-pocket cost.

Contact Our Lawyers for COVID Vaccine Injury Claims

 Do you have questions about seeking compensation for complications from a COVID vaccine during pregnancy or childbirth? If so, we can walk you through everything you need to know. To schedule an appointment with one of our lawyers for COVID vaccine injury claims, please call 202-775-9200 or request a free consultation online today.