Vaccine Watch: The Latest
This article was last updated on March 25, 2021
The news on the COVID vaccine for pregnant and postpartum people is constantly evolving, and we know it's difficult to decipher what it all means for you. That’s why we're keeping our eyes on the latest updates and bringing them straight to your inbox.
Since our article on the COVID-19 vaccine was published on January 21st, The World Health Organization (WHO) has adjusted its guidelines and dropped opposition to administering the vaccine to pregnant and lactating people. Keep watching this URL for all of the latest guidelines.
The State of Vaccinations From The Daily
NYT’s podcast The Daily covers the U.S. vaccination campaign against COVID-19. They examine the speed, scale, and pitfalls of the effort, and describe what life after inoculation might look like. Listen now.
First Baby in U.S. Born with Antibodies Against COVID-19 After Mom Received Vaccine While Pregnant
A frontline health care worker in Florida received her first shot of the Modern COVID-19 vaccine while 36 weeks pregnant, and she just gave birth to a healthy baby girl with COVID-19 antibodies. Doctors believe this marks the first known case of a baby born with coronavirus antibodies in the U.S., which may offer her some protection against the virus. See the story.
President Biden Announces That the U.S. Will Have Enough Vaccines for Every Adult by the End of May:
This announcement reflects an accelerated timeline compared to previous estimates. In the announcement, he also directed states to prioritize teachers in vaccination rollouts. Please note: this deadline does not mean all Americans will receive shots by the end of May - distribution could take much longer.
Senate Passes Biden’s $1.9 Trillion Covid-19 Relief Bill, Which Includes a Child Tax Credit:
We are closely following the development of this Relief Bill, which will now be sent back to the House of Representatives so that chamber can approve the Senate’s changes. After that, President Biden will be able to sign the bill into law.
Details of the Child Tax Credit can be found here, and include: a temporary raise of the credit, (now at a maximum of $2,000), to as much as $3,600 per child, per year. Plus, it will be paid out in monthly installments, to offer families struggling during the pandemic a consistent source of income.
CDC Study Shows Women Reported Worse Side Effects from the COVID-19 Vaccine Than Men
Nearly 7,000 people reported to the CDC that they were experiencing side effects after receiving the vaccine, including symptoms of headaches, fatigue, and dizziness. Women made up nearly 80% of those who reported side effects. See the study.
Breastfeeding and COVID-19 - Transmission and Antibodies:
According to a study published on February 9, Breastfeeding women do not pass along the COVID-19 to their babies through their breast milk, but instead produce antibodies capable of "neutralizing" the virus. Learn more about this developing information.
Possible Vaccine Side Effect Mistaken for Breast Cancer - Not to Fear:
Side effects from the COVID-19 vaccine affect everyone differently. One woman reported swollen lymph nodes, having mistaken them for signs of spreading cancer. They turned out to be a normal effect of the vaccine, and went away in a few days on their own. Read her story.
For Those Already Vaccinated:
The CDC recently rolled out V-safe, a smartphone-based tool that uses texts and web surveys to provide health check-ins after people recieve the COVID-19 vaccine. As part of this tool, there is also a COVID-19 Vaccine Pregnancy Registry, which collects health information from people who received the vaccine either in their periconceptional period (within 30 days before last menstrual period) or during pregnancy. This voluntary registry will help healthcare providers get critical information about vaccine performance and health outcomes for pregnant people.
For our NY Residents:
Many new groups have been added to eligible vaccine waiting lists in the state of New York. We believe other states will follow suit, and we’ll be keeping our eye on it when they do, so we can keep you updated. In the meantime, New York’s Governor Andrew Cuomo announced that pregnant people, those with cancer or who are in remission, diabetics and anyone who is immuno-compromised or obese, is eligible to schedule their appointments for vaccinations. Click here for more information.