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​​COVID-19 Vaccine ​Information for People who are Pregnant, Recently Pregnant, Looking to Become Pregnant, or Breastfeeding

As you care for the health of you and your baby, you will make many important decisions. Getting a COVID-19 vaccine is the best way to protect both of you against getting very sick with COVID-19, the disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. 

The CDC, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), and Society for Maternal Fetal Medicine (SMFM) recommend you get vaccinated. Getting the most updated COVID-19 vaccine is important for people who are:

  • Pregnant
  • Trying to get pregnant
  • Might become pregnant in the future
  • People who are breastfeeding

Getting vaccinated before becoming pregnant or in your pregnancy is the best way to protect you and your baby. Even if you've already had COVID-19, vaccination is important and can protect you and your baby from future complications.​​​

The COVID-19 vaccine is even more important if you are pregnant.

  • Pregnant and recently pregnant people are more likely to get very sick from COVID-19.
  • Pregnant people who get COVID-19 during their pregnancy are at higher risk of having a preterm birth, low birthweight at delivery, and being admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).
  • Getting vaccinated can also protect your fetus and newborn. After you get vaccinated, the antibodies made by your body may be passed through breastmilk and may help protect your baby from the virus.​

The COVID-19 vaccine is important if you are breastfeeding.

  • CDC recommends that people who are breastfeeding get the updated COVID-19 vaccine.
  • Some data has shown that breastfeeding people who received mRNA COVID-19 vaccines have antibodies in their breast milk which can help protect the breastfed baby.
  • Getting vaccinated helps to protect infants less than 6 months of age, who are too young to be eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine.​

The COVID-19 vaccine is safe and effective.

The COVID-19 vaccine protects you from serious illness from COVID-19 and can help protect your baby from COVID-19, so both you and your baby can stay healthy. 

The COVID-19 vaccine is safe to get during pregnancy and while breastfeeding.  The vaccine cannot give you COVID-19. There is NO evidence that any COVID-19 vaccine causes fertility problems or changes your chances for becoming pregnant. They also do not increase your risk of miscarriage.​

Creating a COVID-safe "cocoon" can further protect your baby.

Parents can create a "cocoon" around their baby by asking family and friends who may spend time with the baby to get vaccinated. This reduces the chance you or your baby will be exposed to COVID-19 and can provide further protection from COVID-19. In addition to getting vaccinated, you can protect your baby by limiting visits from people with a cough, sore throat, congestion, or other respiratory symptoms until their symptoms pass and they are feeling better.

Talk to your healthcare provider if you have questions.

It's normal to have questions about something new. The best person to talk to if you have concerns about your pregnancy or fertility is your prenatal provider.

Mother To Baby is another resource you can contact. Experts are available to answer questions in English or Spanish by phone or chat. The free and confidential service is available Monday-Friday 8am-7pm (local time). To reach Mother To Baby, call 1-866-626-6847, text 1-855-999-3525, or chat live or send an email to MotherToBaby.

Free COVID-19 vaccines are available to most adults through their Medicare, Medicaid or private insurance plan. If you are uninsured or your insurance does not cover COVID-19 vaccination free updated COVID-19 vaccines are available through CDC's Bridge Access Program. Click here to find a vaccination location near you: Vaccines.gov - Find COVID‑19 vaccine locations near you​

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