COVID-19 Vaccine During Pregnancy
COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy is the best way to reduce the risks of COVID-19 infection for both you and your baby. The Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM), along with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other pregnancy experts, recommend that people who are pregnant, breastfeeding, trying to get pregnant now, or might become pregnant in the future, be vaccinated against COVID-19.
-
Although most pregnant people with COVID-19 have only a mild illness, about 1 in 10 will develop severe disease. Compared with those who aren’t pregnant, pregnant people infected by the COVID-19 virus:
Are 3 times more likely to need ICU care
Are 2 to 3 times more likely to need advanced life support and a breathing tube
Have a small increased risk of dying due to COVID-19
COVID-19 infection may also increase the risk of pregnancy complications, including stillbirth and preterm birth.
Data show that older pregnant people and those with preexisting health conditions, such as obesity, diabetes, and heart disorders, have an especially increased risk of severe disease and death from COVID-19.
-
If you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, consider talking with your healthcare professional about the vaccine. Here are some key points to think about:
The Vaccines Work
The vaccines can help protect you from severe illness, hospitalization, and death if you get COVID-19.
Getting Vaccinated Helps Protect Your Baby
Getting the vaccine while pregnant helps your immune system create anti-COVID-19 antibodies, which then pass to the fetus through the placenta. These antibodies protect your baby from severe COVID-19 illness and hospitalization until they can be vaccinated at age 6 months.
The Vaccines Don’t Cross the Placenta or Affect Future Fertility
The current COVID-19 vaccines are not live vaccines. The vaccines do not cross the placenta because they are quickly broken down by the muscle where they’re given. Remember—the vaccine helps your body make protective antibodies, which do cross the placenta and help protect your baby after they’re born.
There is no evidence that vaccines affect future fertility.
-
You can get vaccinated at any time during pregnancy. There’s no need to wait until later in your pregnancy to get vaccinated. The following information shows the available vaccines and the recommended doses you should have in 2024-2025 based on your COVID-19 vaccination history:
If you have NEVER had a COVID-19 vaccine:
| Vaccine: | Number of doses to get in 2024-2025 | Wait time between doses |
|---|---|---|
| Moderna, OR | 1 | N/A |
| Pfizer, OR | 1 | N/A |
| Novavax (for ages 12 and older only) | 2 | 3-8 weeks between doses 1 and 2 |
If you have previously received 1 or more doses of a COVID-19 vaccine:
| Vaccine: | Number of doses to get in 2024-2025 | Wait time between doses |
|---|---|---|
| Moderna, OR | 1 | 8 weeks or more after last dose |
| Pfizer, OR | 1 | 8 weeks or more after last dose |
| Novavax (for ages 12 and older only) | 1 | 8 weeks or more after last dose |
-
Side effects may occur in the first 3 days after getting vaccinated. These include mild to moderate fever, headache, and muscle aches. Side effects may be worse after the second dose of the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines. Fever should be avoided during pregnancy, especially in the first trimester. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is recommended if you’ve gotten the vaccine and developed a fever. This medication is safe during pregnancy and does not affect how the vaccine works.
The CDC, along with other federal partners, is monitoring people who have been vaccinated for serious side effects. You can help this effort by signing up for V-safe, a program that monitors people who’ve been vaccinated. No unexpected pregnancy or fetal problems have occurred. There have been no reports of any increased risk of pregnancy loss, growth problems, or birth defects.
Protect Your Family with COVID Vaccination
In English
En Español
Quick Facts
COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy decreases the risk of severe illness for both mother and baby.
Getting the vaccine while pregnant helps your body create anti-COVID-19 antibodies, which then pass to the fetus. These antibodies protect your baby from severe COVID-19 illness and hospitalization until they can be vaccinated at age 6 months.
Vaccines do not cross the placenta or impact fertility.
You can get the COVID-19 vaccine at any time during pregnancy.
The COVID-19 vaccine can cause mild side effects, like fever or headache. Acetaminophen is safe to use if needed.
CDC: COVID-19 Vaccination for People Who Are Pregnant or Breastfeeding
CDC: COVID-19 Vaccination for People Who Would Like to Have a Baby
MothertoBaby: COVID-19 Subunit Vaccine (Novavax)
MothertoBaby: COVID-19 mRNA Vaccine (Moderna/Spikevax® and Pfizer/Comirnaty®)
Glossary
Antibodies: Proteins made by the immune system in response to a foreign substance, such as a virus.
Immune system: The cells and organs that protect the body against foreign substances, such as bacteria and viruses.
Placenta: A special organ that develops during pregnancy. It allows the transfer of nutrients, antibodies, and oxygen to the fetus. It also makes hormones that sustain the pregnancy.
This resource was supported by the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cooperative agreement CDC-RFA-DD-23-0004 Enhancing Partnerships to Address Birth Defects, Infant Disorders and Related Conditions, and the Health of Pregnant and Postpartum People. The views expressed by the authors do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the Department of Health and Human Services nor represent an endorsement by the U.S. Government.
Last Updated: October 2024