With the rollout of the much awaited COVID-19 vaccines, it’s safe to say that all eyes have been on each and every step of the procedure. The World Health Organisation’s (WHO) Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE) on Immunisation has issued recommendations for use of the Moderna mRNA-1273 vaccine in the fight against the corona virus. The catch, however, is that they have advised pregnant and lactating women against it. According to the advisory, it recommends, “not to use mRNA-1273 in pregnancy, unless the benefit of vaccinating a pregnant woman outweighs the potential vaccine risks, such as in health workers at high risk of exposure and pregnant women with co-morbidities placing them in a high-risk group for severe COVID-19.”
However, the organisation further stated that it does not recommend pregnancy testing prior to vaccination. Moreover, they also don’t recommend delaying plans to start a family after receiving the vaccine. The advisory states, “As the mRNA-1273 vaccine is not a live virus vaccine and the mRNA does not enter the nucleus of the cell and is degraded quickly, it is biologically and clinically unlikely to pose a risk to the breastfeeding child.” Here’s what you need to know.
Ever since the Moderna vaccine was rolled out earlier this year, it has been mostly administered to the frontline healthcare workers. This is definitely a big feat in the fight against COVID-19, however, we have also heard of some side effects, such as headaches, muscle pain, chills, joint pain, and swollen lymph nodes in the arm where the injection was given, vomiting and nausea. Plus, if someone is allergic to any of the components present in the vaccine, they have been known to have a severe reaction to it.
During pregnancy, one tends to be careful about their health as well as that of their foetus. And while the symptoms aren’t any different between non-pregnant and pregnant people, women who are carrying should speak to their healthcare provider before getting vaccinated. Having said that, there are not enough studies to prove how the vaccine may affect pregnant women, therefore WHO has advised against it.
For more information, we recommend you have a look at their official website.
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