An Immunologist Answers 3 Questions: Should Pregnant Women Get The COVID-19 Vaccine? Will It Protect Against Asymptomatic Infections And Mutated Viruses?
This week I was vaccinated against COVID-19 with the Pfizer mRNA vaccine, which brought to mind some frequently asked questions about the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines.
I am a physician, and I just got my first shot of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine.
William Petri, CC BY-SA
I am a professor of infectious diseases at the University of Virginia, where I care for patients with COVID-19 and conduct research on how best to prevent, diagnose and treat this new infection. As I interact with patients in the hospital, some mothers and expectant mothers have asked whether it is safe for them to take the vaccine. Here is what I have said to them.
1) Can I get vaccinated if I am pregnant or breastfeeding?
Yes, you can and should get a COVID-19 vaccine if you are either pregnant or breastfeeding.
An impor...