Update 12.20.2021: Research shows COVID infections can have long-term effects on babies, while only 35 percent of pregnant women are vaccinated
Update 8.27.2021:
The March of Dimes addresses a number of vaccination myths related to COVID-19 on their News Moms Need blog.
Update 8.20.2021: The National Institutes of Health (NIH) provides helpful, research-based information on how COVID-19 impacts pregnancy and the safety of the vaccine.
As COVID-19 continues to impact the Northeast Florida community and nation, we want to share important information for our families.
Pregnancy, in particular, increases a person’s risk of severe illness from COVID and studies show it leads to an increase in complications and mortality.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, getting a COVID-19 vaccine during pregnancy can protect you from severe illness from COVID-19. Both the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine recommend vaccination for pregnant and lactating women. Talk to your doctor about the pros and cons of getting a vaccine.
The CDC recommends the following to reduce the transmission of COVID:
- Consider getting a COVID-19 vaccine for yourself and for others who live with you. Everyone age 12 years or older is now eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine.
- Limit in-person interactions with people who might have been exposed to COVID-19, including people within your household, as much as possible. If you or someone in your household is sick with COVID-19, follow guidance for isolation.
- Wear a mask in indoor public places.
- Avoid crowds and poorly ventilated indoor spaces.
- Wash your hands. If soap and water are not available, use a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or the inside of your elbow. Then wash your hands.
- Clean frequently touched surfaces daily using household cleaners, such as soap or detergent.