Concerns about pregnant women not getting the COVID-19 vaccines have increased among health professionals due to misinformation.
The share of the population getting the COVID-19 vaccines continues to show an increasing trend these days. However, hesitancy among some groups of individuals toward the jabs is still apparent.
It comes as false information and conspiracy theories flood various online platforms today. This is why public health officials have since deemed misinformation as one of the major risk factors of the coronavirus pandemic.
Some of the misleading and false claims center on the impacts of the vaccines on women’s health. To clarify the matter further, Euro News Next spoke with a World Health Organization official and discussed the effects of the jabs on pregnancy, fertility, and menstruation.
COVID-19 vaccines on pregnancy
WHO’s Technical Specialist on Vaccine-Preventable Diseases and Immunization for its Europe regional office said that vaccinated pregnant women had a “significantly lower risk” of contracting COVID-19. Dr. Liudmila Mosina cited a population-based study from Israel upon explaining the matter.
She continued that the vaccination does not only protect pregnant women but also their children, at an early age. After getting the COVID-19 vaccines, they develop antibodies, which transport to the cord blood and breast milk, as well.
Accordingly, it is highly encouraged for pregnant women to complete the jabs. As for when they should get it, Dr. Mosina noted that it should be “right away to protect them” against the virus.
Impacts on fertility and menstruation
Myths surrounding COVID-19 vaccines have also become extremely apparent on different social media platforms. These include the jabs causing infertility and even erectile dysfunction.
There are individuals who shared stories, as well, about the changes in their respective menstrual cycles. While some focus on the regularity, others center on the volume.
Dr. Liudmila Mosina of the WHO said that there is no proof that the vaccines have negative impacts on fertility, women or men. She added that “vaccination should not be a reason to postpone or avoid pregnancy.” In fact, “many vaccinated women became pregnant without any problems.”
With regard to the impacts on menstruation, the expert asserted that officials have yet to report “negative effects” on periods. Moreover, women who participated in clinical trials “did not identify any negative effects of vaccination on the menstruation cycle.”
Risks of not getting the jabs
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the U.S. recommends the vaccines for all people, 12 years and older. These include people who are “pregnant, breastfeeding, and trying to get pregnant.”
In the agency’s official website, it also says that there is no evidence to date that the COVID-19 vaccines cause fertility problems. Rather, pregnant people are “more likely to get severely ill with COVID-19” than with non-pregnant individuals. Hence, it is more dangerous not to get the jabs.
Images courtesy of Mayo Clinic/YouTube