As an OB, I am disappointed to hear the media discourage pregnant folks from considering the #CovidVaccine.
@CNN @mikiebarb

1/ A thread

2/What is so bad about COVID?
COVID is terrible for pregnant folks. Observational data show us that pregnant pts 5x more likely to end up in ICU or on a ventilator than non-pregnant pts. COVID increases risk of pregnancy loss, preterm birth and maternal death.

3/Why get immunized?
#COVIDVaccine will prevent 95% of infections.
It has no live virus and cannot give you #COVID or infect the fetus.
Vaccines are routinely and safely given to pregnant ppl and this one is no different.

4/Weren’t the studies rushed?
#OperationWarpSpeed removed red tape/funding barriers. Scientific process was unchanged. #COVIDVaccine tested on >20K ppl w/o serious side FX. Pfizer/Moderna vax studied for >2mo, the time frame in which serious adverse vaccine events are identified.

5/Pregnant ppl not included in study population BUT the vaccine contains NO ingredients known to be harmful for a developing pregnancy. None. Nil

6/ @ACOG advises the #COVIDVaccine not be withheld from pregnant and BF pts, particularly those with additional risk factors for severe disease.
https://www.acog.org/en/clinical/clinical-guidance/practice-advisory/articles/2020/12/vaccinating-Pregnant-and-Lactating-Patients-Against-COVID-19?fbclid=IwAR0mFn4aCUGqQ7EbTRRtOT_ljD3sXs2VgmjI-ZUwMgd-TTtvKhvoj_mK71c

7/ @MySMFM also recommends offering #COVID vaccine to pregnant folks.
https://s3.amazonaws.com/cdn.smfm.org/media/2591/SMFM_Vaccine_Statement_12-1-20_(final).pdf

8/In sum, the risk of great harm from #COVID19 very likely outweighs any theoretical risk of #COVIDVaccine.

Protect yourself.

We withhold too many things from pregnant folks, based on little evidence, due to theoretical fetal risks. Don't let this be another.

Fin.

@brennahughesmd @MFMSperling @rayofdiana @MeganEvansMD @DrJenGunter @cclareMDMPH @jfitzgeraldMD @DrSueGross @DrSAksel @ben_brown_md @doctorjenn