CDC’s Latest ‘Urgent’ Alert: Vaccinate Pregnant Women To Prevent Serious Illness, Death

• August was a deadly month for pregnant women in the United States, as it recorded the highest number of COVID-19 related deaths ever since the pandemic started. Because of the alarming numbers, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the US strongly recommends the urgent vaccination of pregnant women, including those who have recently given birth, those breastfeeding, and even those trying to get pregnant.

  In its health advisory released last Sept. 29, 2021 (EST), the CDC stated that “As of September 27, 2021, more than 125,000 laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 cases have been reported in pregnant people, including more than 22,000 hospitalized cases and 161 deaths.”

  The grim and alarming news continues. According to the data from the COVID-19-Associated Hospitalization Surveillance Network (COVID-NET), the advisory states that “approximately 97% of pregnant people hospitalized (either for illness or for labor and delivery) with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection were unvaccinated.”

  Because of the new nature of COVID-19 and its vaccine, some pregnant women have been hesitant to get the jabs for fear of negatively affecting their child’s growth. However, the CDC stresses that remaining unvaccinated may put you and your child at risk. Pregnant and recently pregnant individuals with COVID-19 are at an increased risk compared to those who are not pregnant.

  Apart from risks of severe illness and death, unvaccinated preggos also increase the risk of preterm birth, admission of babies to an intensive care unit (ICU), adn other adverse pregnancy outcomes, such as stillbirth, according to CDC’s advisory.

  “Getting a COVID-19 vaccine can prevent severe illness, death, and pregnancy complications related to COVID-19,” the advisory reiterates.

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  In the Philippines, the Department of Health (DOH) has included pregnant women in the priority list to get the available vaccines from their respective local government units (LGUs). The DOH has stated that all vaccines except for Sputnik V are safe for pregnant women.

  If you are with child, a medical certificate from your OB-GYN must be presented when you’re in the vaccination center. If you recently gave birth or are breastfeeding, it is also strongly recommended to get vaccinated. Your life and the life of your family depends on it!

  Sitti and Neri Miranda completed their COVID-19 vaccination while pregnant! Click here and here for their stories.

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CDC’s Latest ‘Urgent’ Alert: Vaccinate Pregnant Women To Prevent Serious Illness, Death
Source: Progress Pinas