Covid 19 Vaccines In Pregnancy Or Breastfeeding Women

Covid-19 has completely changed the world as everyone sees it. Vaccine, Antibodies, Antigen, and herd immunity, words which were often spoken in the science communities have now become household names. Scientists have worked hard and swiftly in order to bring a vaccine against Covid-19 in record time. Now that the vaccine is available, a lot of people, especially pregnant and lactating women have their apprehensions — Is the Covid-19 Vaccine safe for pregnant and breastfeeding women?

A vaccine is a product that trains the body to produce antibodies against a particular disease causing organism without causing actual illness. Today, vaccines have been used to control various diseases that affect us. Over the years, many epidemics have been prevented and controlled by the use of vaccines. .vaccines offer a shield of protection by providing immunity and preventing infection.

Table of contents

Types of vaccines available

Side effects of vaccine as told by the scientists

Side effects especially for pregnant and breastfeeding women

What are other countries suggesting

What are health organizations suggesting

When can pregnant women and Breastfeeding women get the vaccine?

Types of Vaccines

A vaccine differs in whether the whole of the bacterium or the virus is used; the specific part of the organism that sets off the immune system isused; or only the genetic material is being used.

Whole virus vaccines

a) Inactivated vaccine

In these types of vaccines, the pathogen is inactivated using chemical agents, heat or by radiation, after which they are produced on a large scale and ready for community use. COVAXIN is a type of inactivated vaccine. The body’s immune system recognises the killed virus and initiates a response without causing the disease per se.

The antigens produced as a result, build immune memory that sets the base for when a live pathogen of the same kind enters the body in future. These vaccines are relatively safer as they do not carry the risk of reverting back to its mutated form in the future. Multiple booster doses may be needed to build a considerable level of immunity.

b) Live-attenuated vaccine

In this type, a live but weaker version of the pathogen is used . They are designed to cause a response but no serious illness in the bodies of people that have normal functioning immune systems. When the immune system recognises the pathogen, a response is triggered that is as close to a natural infection as possible, and serves as a great stimulant to the immune system. These vaccines offer a lifetime of immunity in one or two doses .

c) Viral vector vaccine

In a viral vector vaccine, a safe virus is chosen into which protein subparts of the pathogen are inserted. When such a vaccine is used, an immune response is elicited, but without causing disease. The safe virus that is used acts as a vehicle or vector to deliver the pathogen into the body. In response, the system generates an immune response. COVISHIELD is a viral vector vaccine

Subunit vaccines

Unlike other types of vaccines, these vaccines use a distinct part of the pathogen which may be a protein or a sugar that is needed to generate an immune recognition and build subsequent immunity. The whole pathogen or a vector is not used. These types of vaccines are used to control whooping cough, diphtheria, meningitis etc.

Genetic vaccines

These vaccines use neither a pathogen or a vector. Instead specific parts of the genetic material are used. On entering the body, the vaccine makes proteins that are necessary to initiate an immune response. Scientists have been researching these vaccines for decades and now we have some mRNA vaccines. They train the body on how to make the protein , and then the body’s cells get rid of the mRNA. The learnt response continues when the pathogen enters the body in future. Since no live virus is used, there is no chance of the person contracting the disease.

Side effects of vaccine

The common side effects occurring at Injection site:

● Pain

● Redness

● Swelling

● Hard to touch

The common side effects that can occur in the Rest of the body:

● Muscle pain

● Chills

● Fever

● Body ache

● Nausea

● Tiredness

When a vaccine is given, the body is trained to generate an immune response. These mild to moderate symptoms after getting the vaccine are because your body is reacting in response to the shot as necessary . The blood flow increases, the cells of the immune system are circulating actively in the body, and the body temperature is raised in order to kill the virus.

To manage these symptoms, use your arm after a while, drink lots of fluids, relax and rest well for a few hours to ease any discomfort.

Side effects of COVID vaccine in pregnant and breastfeeding women

COVID vaccines and pregnancy have been researched and debated extensively. As per recent clinical data by the Royal college of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the occurrence of the side effects of the COVID vaccine during pregnancy and breastfeeding, are no more than the other groups and the risks of a pregnant woman being non vaccinated outweigh the manageable side effects .

In fact, a study on 4,00,000 women conducted by the Centre for disease control and prevention in the USA found that COVID during pregnancy increases the severity of the disease. If you are considering IVF for pregnancy and would like to know if getting vaccinated is the right choice, consulting a Doctor to discuss the same is recommended. To clear the air about undergoing IVF during a pandemic you can Consult the experts on IVF Junction’s Platform.

What are other countries suggesting

Many countries such as the USA, UK, New Zealand have taken the lead and started vaccinating pregnant and lactating mothers. After analyzing available data that show COVID in pregnant women results in more complications and considering the already existing physical demands of a pregnant woman, they have already started vaccinating.

New Zealand has made the Pfizer vaccine available for pregnant women. The Journal of American association of pediatrics has published a study that found that women who have COVID and are pregnant, have a 50% more chance of complications such as premature birth etc and hence recommend vaccination among this group.

What health organizations are suggesting

The WHO has issued an interim guideline that pregnant women may be vaccinated if they show high risk of exposure to COVID 19 or have existing comorbidities. Taking into account the risk of COVID in pregnancy, vaccination is recommended and they are offered a choice.

The CDC (Centre for disease control and prevention) recommends that pregnant women decrease their risk of COVID complications if they have taken the jab. It is also reported that the unborn baby receives passive immunity when the mother is vaccinated.

When can pregnant women and breastfeeding women get the vaccine?

So far, India has approved three vaccines — COVAXIN,COVISHIELD and SPUTNIK V. COVAXIN and COVISHIELD are widely available while SPUTNIK V has been rolled out in select cities across the country. Now, breastfeeding women can receive the vaccine. With an impending threat of a third wave ,a news update as recent as 20th June 2021 says the Health ministry of India is likely to recommend the vaccine for pregnant women soon.

Lactating mothers can now receive the vaccine at government and government approved facilities. Pediatricians and gynecologists across the country say that by vaccinating lactating mothers, the baby receives antibodies through breast milk and provides a layer of immunity to the infant. Couples Planning IVF during Covid-19 Pandemic should also discuss the Covid-19Vaccination with their doctors.

Take Away

It can be said that the research and experts lean towards favouring the vaccine being given to Pregnant and Lactating females. So when your chance to get vaccinated against Covid-19 comes, discuss with your doctor about the best approach and don’t let your fears and bias guide you. If your doctor suggests you take the vaccine, do your bit to help the fight against the Pandemic by saying yes to the Covid Vaccine. For more credible information, feel free to be a part of IVF Junction Support Forum and IVF Junction Knowledge Hub. If you have IVF related enquiries — IVF costs, How to prepare for IVF, Best IVF Centres in Delhi and NCR, etc reach out to us for the right information and support. In the era of rampant misinformation online, let us help you connect with credible experts.