Covid-19 has completely changed the world as everyone sees it. Vaccine, Antibodies, Antigen, and herd immunity, words which were often spoken in the science communities have now become household names. Scientists have worked hard and swiftly in order to bring a vaccine against Covid-19 in record time. Now that the vaccine is available, a lot of people, especially pregnant and lactating women have their apprehensions – Is the Covid-19 Vaccine safe for pregnant and breastfeeding women?

A vaccine is a product that trains the body to produce antibodies against a particular disease causing organism without causing actual illness. Today, vaccines have been used to control various diseases that affect us. Over the years, many epidemics have been prevented and controlled by the use of vaccines. .vaccines offer a shield of protection by providing immunity and preventing infection.

Side effects of COVID vaccine in pregnant and breastfeeding women
COVID vaccines and pregnancy have been researched and debated extensively. As per recent clinical data by the Royal college of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the occurrence of the side effects of the COVID vaccine during pregnancy and breastfeeding, are no more than the other groups and the risks of a pregnant woman being non vaccinated outweigh the manageable side effects .

In fact, a study on 4,00,000 women conducted by the Centre for disease control and prevention in the USA found that COVID during pregnancy increases the severity of the disease. If you are considering IVF for pregnancy and would like to know if getting vaccinated is the right choice, consulting a Doctor to discuss the same is recommended. To clear the air about undergoing IVF during a pandemic you can Consult the experts on IVF Junction’s Platform.

When can pregnant women and breastfeeding women get the vaccine?
So far, India has approved three vaccines – COVAXIN, COVISHIELD and SPUTNIK V. COVAXIN and COVISHIELD are widely available while SPUTNIK V has been rolled out in select cities across the country. Now, breastfeeding women can receive the vaccine. With an impending threat of a third wave ,a news update as recent as 20th June 2021 says the Health ministry of India is likely to recommend the vaccine for pregnant women soon.

Lactating mothers can now receive the vaccine at government and government approved facilities. Pediatricians and gynecologists across the country say that by vaccinating lactating mothers, the baby receives antibodies through breast milk and provides a layer of immunity to the infant. Couples Planning IVF during Covid-19 Pandemic should also discuss the Covid-19 Vaccination with their doctors.

Take Away
It can be said that the research and experts lean towards favouring the vaccine being given to Pregnant and Lactating females. So when your chance to get vaccinated against Covid-19 comes, discuss with your doctor about the best approach and don’t let your fears and bias guide you. If your doctor suggests you take the vaccine, do your bit to help the fight against the Pandemic by saying yes to the Covid Vaccine. For more credible information, feel free to be a part of IVF Junction Support Forum and IVF Junction Knowledge Hub. If you have IVF related enquiries – IVF costs, How to prepare for IVF, Best IVF Centres in Delhi and NCR, etc reach out to us for the right information and support. In the era of rampant misinformation online, let us help you connect with credible experts.

Source : https://ivfjunction.com/blog/covid-19-vaccines-in-pregnancy-or-breastfeeding-women/

I would like to know from any one knowledge about this matter, *Can a nursing/ breastfeeding mother receive the Covid-19 vaccine*

Is the vaccine safe for mother and child?

What does the World Health Organization say about it.