SMFM Maintains COVID-19 Vaccine Recommendation During Pregnancy in Advance of ACIP Meeting

The Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM), the national organization representing high-risk pregnancy experts, reiterates its recommendation that all pregnant and breastfeeding people receive the COVID-19 vaccine, regardless of trimester. 

SMFM’s evidence-based recommendations are based on a thorough review of scientific research and data. Vaccination against COVID-19 has been shown to be safe and effective against COVID-19 infection in pregnancy. The research also shows there is no increased risk for miscarriage, preterm delivery, low birth weight, or birth defects from COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy. 

Evidence-based recommendations are based on reliable, vetted research and not on ad hoc compilations of unverified anecdotes. In fact, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has had a Vaccine Safety Monitoring Program in place for several decades that monitors the safety of all vaccines used in the U.S. and routinely shares this information with the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices.  
 
The facts are that pregnant people who get COVID-19 are three times more likely than non-pregnant people to be hospitalized, up to three times more likely to need advanced life support and a breathing tube, and more likely to die. COVID-19 infection during pregnancy increases the risk of preterm birth, preeclampsia, and stillbirth. 

National maternal mortality data from the CDC show that maternal deaths nearly doubled in 2021 during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Data also show that maternal deaths from COVID-19 were significantly higher among non-Hispanic Black and American Indian/Alaska Native people.  

Immunization against infectious disease is recognized worldwide as a proven strategy to prevent severe disease and death. Efforts to undermine the benefits of vaccines and spread misinformation and disinformation unnecessarily threaten the health and well-being of pregnant people, their families, and all Americans. SMFM will continue supporting vaccine recommendations during pregnancy that are based solely on the scientific evidence and that protect patient health.  

#  #  #  

Editor’s Note: The September 15 comment letter from the Maternal Immunization Task Force to the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices that highlights the benefits of maternal immunization is available here. 

 About SMFM    
The Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM), founded in 1977, is the medical professional society for obstetricians who have additional training in high-risk, complicated pregnancies. SMFM represents more than 6,500 members who care for high-risk pregnant people and provides education, promotes research, and engages in advocacy to reduce disparities and optimize the health of high-risk pregnant people and their families. SMFM and its members are dedicated to optimizing maternal and fetal outcomes and assuring medically appropriate treatment options are available to all patients.    

Media Contact:  Greg Phillips, Director of Communications, press@smfm.org