Valley doctor encouraged by COVID-19 vaccine impact on pregnant women

PHOENIX — A Valley infectious disease doctor is encouraged by a new study that shows the COVID-19 vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna are safe and effective for pregnant and lactating women.

“It’s encouraging — very, very much so — and it gives us certainty,” Dr. Omar Gonzalez with Dignity Health told KTAR News 92.3 FM.

Researchers studied a group of 131 women who received either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine. Among the participants, 84 were pregnant, 31 were lactating and 16 were non-pregnant women.

All three groups produced similar vaccine-generated antibody levels. Their findings were published last week in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

“They proved that the response of the vaccine is equal to the non-pregnant person,” Gonzalez said. “The antibodies that are produced are as good as anyone else.”

Antibodies were also present in the umbilical cord and breastmilk samples that were tested. Gonzalez said this means vaccinated women are able to transmit “immunity to the baby as well.”

Pregnant women, who face a higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19, were not included in the initial vaccine trials for Pfizer and Moderna. That left many women confused about whether or not they should get vaccinated during pregnancy.

Gonzalez said findings from the latest study should give women reassurance that the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are safe. He also encouraged them to speak with their doctors before getting vaccinated.

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