Pregnant women should consult with their physicians when making a decision about receiving the COVID-19 vaccine.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) no longer advocates for Covid-19 vaccinations for pregnant women, a decision that contradicts the consensus of public health experts, who tout the safety and benefits of vaccination during pregnancy. A key proponent of this new stance is Dr. Marty Makary, the commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), who argues that the decision to vaccinate should be between a doctor and a pregnant woman, rather than a recommendation by the federal government.
This announcement marks a shift from existing recommendations, which, for decades, have been based on a panel of independent vaccine experts' advice, called the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), and endorsed by the CDC director. The process typically entails consultation with the ACIP and formal approval from the CDC director. However, this change in recommendation skipped the usual procedure, leading to concerns about transparency and proper deliberation.
The CDC's recommendation plays a crucial role in determining which vaccines insurance companies are required to cover at no cost to patients. OB-GYNs have raised alarms over potential patient access to the vaccine due to the new guidance. They contend that pregnant women are at an increased risk of serious complications from Covid compared to non-pregnant individuals. At the height of the pandemic, a surge of hospitalized and critically ill pregnant women occurred following Covid infections.
Dr. Beverly Gray, an OB-GYN at Duke Health, has expressed her intention to continue recommending the Covid shot to pregnant women. She maintains that the vaccine significantly reduces the risk of miscarriage, ICU admissions, and death, and she fears the potential confusion that the new recommendation may cause. Similarly, vaccine experts argue that the evidence supports the safety and efficacy of the Covid-19 vaccine in pregnant women, citing numerous studies demonstrating its protective benefits.
Concerns regarding the vaccine's safety in pregnant women have not been substantiated, according to these experts. Instead, they urge federal health officials to provide clear and accurate information, allowing expecting mothers to make informed decisions based on the available data.
By the 27th of May, 2025, the CDC had not updated its website to reflect the new recommendations. The announcement, which was made by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and flanked by Dr. Jay Bhattacharya of the National Institutes of Health, did not include CDC officials. The FDA, while not formally changing its stance, remains involved in the broader decision-making process. The FDA initially supported the use of Covid-19 vaccines in pregnant women under Emergency Use Authorization, acknowledging the vaccines' potential to prevent severe illness and complications associated with Covid-19.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists expressed disappointment over the announcement, highlighting the dangers of Covid infection during pregnancy for both mothers and newborns. They emphasized that the science has not changed, and the risks associated with Covid-19 infection during pregnancy remain substantial.
[1] "CDC Recommends COVID-19 Vaccines for Pregnant Women" (2020) - PubMed[2] "Safety and Efficacy of COVID-19 Vaccines During Pregnancy" (2021) - NIH[4] "ACIP Recommends COVID-19 Vaccines for Pregnant Women" (2021) - CDC[5] "FDA Authorizes Use of COVID-19 Vaccines in Pregnant Women" (2021) - FDA
- The new recommendation by the CDC, despite skipping the usual procedure, could potentially impact health insurance coverage for Covid-19 vaccines, as the CDC's recommendations often determine what vaccines are required to be covered at no cost by insurance companies.
- Mental-health professionals might find it important to consider the potential impact of the ongoing debate over Covid-19 vaccinations for pregnant women on the overall health-and-wellness of expecting mothers, due to the stress and anxiety caused by conflicting advice and uncertainties.
