Can I get vaccinated if I am pregnant or breastfeeding?
Breastfeeding mothers and pregnant woman are more at risk to develop severe Covid-19 symptoms and are therefore encouraged to get vaccinated.
POLOKWANE – According to the Centre of Disease Control (CDC) the Covid-19 vaccine can protect mothers-to-be and breastfeeding mothers from hospitalisation or even death due to complications caused by the virus.
“Recent reports have shown that people who have received the vaccine during pregnancy, mostly during their third trimester or while breastfeeding, have passed antibodies to their fetuses and their breastfeeding babies, which could help protect them after birth,” reads a CDC statement.
CDC, however, added that more data is needed to determine what protection these antibodies may provide to the baby.
Limpopo Health MEC Dr Phophi Ramathuba confirmed to Review that the vaccine can protect pregnant and breastfeeding woman against Covid-19-related complications.
She added that there is currently no knowledge of any safety concerns for pregnant women and their baby or breastfeeding women and their baby, who have received the vaccine.
“Breastfeeding and pregnant woman have a higher risk of contracting the virus as compared to their non-pregnant counterparts. Their symptoms can also be more severe and the vaccine can supplement their immune system to fight the effects of the virus.”
She added that there has been a notable increase in maternal deaths since 2019. The head of the obstetrics and gynaecology department at the University of Pretoria and Steve Biko Academic Hospital, professor Priya Soma-Pillay, confirmed these finding during a webinar broadcast on the Discovery website on July 22.
“Maternal mortality has increased in most areas with up to a 30% increase in maternal deaths noted in South Africa.” She added that these figures are not based solely on woman who contracted Covid-19 but also based on disrupted services during lockdowns.
Watch professor Salome Maswime explains the latest guidance on vaccinations in pregnancy:
Read more: Covid-19: What to do if your baby tests positive
Ramathuba encouraged all eligible residents to register on the Electronic Vaccination Data System (EVDS) and get their jab.
World Breastfeeding Week
In light of World Breastfeeding Week, which is celebrated from August 1-7, she encouraged all new mothers to breastfeed whether they have Covid-19 or not. She added that the World Health Organisation states that the ‘transmission of active Covid-19 through breast milk and breastfeeding’ has not been detected to date.
“A woman with confirmed or suspected Covid-19 can breastfeed if they wish to do so by adhering to the basic precautions such as washing your hands for at least 20 seconds or sanitising before breastfeeding.”
Sources: Centre of Disease Control, DiscoverySA
