The world is fighting two pandemics: Covid-19 and misinformation. Dangerous social media rumors and falsehoods continue to circulate, creating fear and mistrust among the general public. This week, the misinformation focused on a false link between Covid-19 vaccination and miscarriage.

The baseless claims started after anti-vaxxers misleadingly shared posts from a popular Oklahoma OB-GYN physician. Michelle Rockwell, MD, publicly shared the tragedy of her miscarriage through her social media platforms. She also celebrated her Covid-19 vaccination three weeks later. Conspiracy theorists disregarded the timeline, took her Instagram posts out of context, and spread falsehood regarding the timing of her vaccination and pregnancy loss.  

Facebook also removed a false post claiming that the head of Pfizer research found a link between the vaccine and female sterilization. This particular false claim is based on a confusing twist of scientific facts.

The Covid-19 vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna use messenger RNA (mRNA). A single strand of mRNA delivers instructions to human cells to produce an antibody against the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. The conspiracy theory that Facebook addressed stems from the fact that the spike protein is genetically similar to an essential placental protein called syncytin-1.

The placenta is the organ inside the uterus that keeps the baby alive through its internal filtration system. Syncytin-1 and the coronavirus spike protein share a tiny string of amino acids, but the placental protein is unrelated to the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. The genetic similarity is not close enough for vaccine antibodies to recognize syncytin-1.

These fabrications prompted a statement on February 4 by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) titled “Medical Experts Continue to Assert That Covid Vaccines Do Not Impact Fertility.”

Leaders from the U.K. spoke up about the viral misinformation. The president of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Edward Morris, MD, issued guidance in January to reassure the public, stating, “There is​ ​no biologically plausible mechanism by which current vaccines would cause any impact on fertility.”

Neither the Moderna nor Pfizer vaccine contains a live virus. One cannot catch Covid-19 from the vaccine. Pregnant patients can rest assured mRNA vaccines do not cause fetal genetic changes. The mRNA vaccines do not enter our cells’ nucleus and do not alter vaccine recipients’ DNA. 

Much remains unknown about the novel coronavirus’s effects on pregnant women, babies, and Covid-19 vaccination in pregnancy. Research indicates most pregnant people who contract Covid-19 do well but have an increased risk of ICU admission and preterm labor.

Based on the known risks of Covid-19 infection in pregnancy, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists advocates offering vaccination to pregnant and lactating people.

More than 3.7 million individuals give birth in the United States per year. Excluding pregnant patients from vaccine eligibility or scaring them away with false information creates a significant risk for moms and babies.

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The American College of Obgyn and other Women’s health experts agree that Covid-19 vaccines should be offered to pregnant or breastfeeding people. Pregnant women were excluded from the initial Covid-19 vaccine clinical trials. Obstetrician/gynecologists, like me, follow the latest research to help our patients make safe decisions regarding their pregnancy.

The Boston research team published a study titled “Covid-19 vaccine response in pregnant and lactating women” in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology (AJOG). The paper is consistent with several small studies showing pregnant individuals have a robust immune response after the Covid-19 vaccination and secrete the antibodies into their breast milk.

This study analyzed blood samples and breast milk from 131 women in Boston and the surrounding area. The group included 84 pregnant, 31 lactating, and 16 nonpregnant individuals. The study also included five women who reported a previous SARs-CoV-2 infection. Each participant received the two-dose series of the Pfizer or Moderna Covid-19 vaccine following the FDA-approved protocols.

The research team tested blood and breast milk before vaccination and monitored the antibody response. The scientists compared antibody levels in pregnant women to 37 individuals with a history of natural infection during pregnancy and a cohort of nonpregnant people.

The results indicated a robust blood antibody response in all three groups. While scientists have shown already that moms pass protective antibodies to their baby after a natural Covid-19 infection, this study is important verification that pregnant women also develop an appropriate antibody response after vaccination.

Antibody transfer is good news for babies because a newborn’s immune system is not fully developed. Babies rely on maternal antibodies from blood and breast milk to protect against various infections during the first few months of life.

This study also reinforced encouraging news for lactating people. All the vaccinated mothers had antibodies in the breast milk samples. This finding provides further evidence that vaccinated women pass protective antibodies to their babies. Antibodies are present in breast milk within five to seven days of other viral vaccinations such as Tdap and influenza. Previous research also demonstrated women with a natural Covid-19 infection produce antibodies and secrete them into their breast milk. This study confirms published data from Portland that vaccinated women do too.

The side effects reported in the study were rare and similar in all three groups. The most common symptoms were fever and chills. These side effects are known to be good signs the vaccines are working to trigger an immune response.

This paper adds to the growing body of evidence supporting the safety and efficacy of Covid-19 vaccination in pregnancy and lactation. We continue to learn more about the novel coronavirus’s effects on pregnancy, newborns, and Covid-19 immunization in pregnancy.

Current research shows most pregnant people who contract Covid-19 have excellent outcomes but have an increased risk of ICU admission and preterm labor. Based on the known risks of Covid-19 infection in pregnancy, pregnant and lactating people are eligible for any one of the three Food and Drug Administration-approved vaccines.

None of the three FDA-approved vaccines contain a live virus. One cannot catch Covid-19 from the vaccine or spread the disease from the vaccines to a newborn through breastfeeding.

Pregnant patients can be confident knowing the three approved vaccines trigger an immune response to help protect themself and their babies.

Pregnant and lactating individuals are categorized as 1B in most states and1C in others.

To find a Covid-19 vaccine near you, click here.

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