COVID-19 Vaccine: Frequently Asked Questions
What is the current recommendation from the Government of Canada National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) on COVID-19 vaccination in pregnancy?
NACI recommends that a complete vaccine series with a COVID-19 vaccine (preferably with an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine) may be offered to pregnant individuals in the authorized age group if a risk assessment deems that the benefits outweigh the potential risks for the individual and the fetus, and if informed consent includes discussion about the evidence on the use of COVID-19 vaccines in this population.
The evidence of pregnancy as an independent risk factor for severe COVID-19 is evolving. Pregnant individuals were excluded from the mRNA and viral vector COVID-19 vaccine clinical trials.
Emerging research suggests that COVID-19 mRNA vaccination during pregnancy results in comparable antibody titres to those generated in non-pregnant women. Maternal IgG humoral response to mRNA COVID-19 vaccines transfers across the placenta to the fetus, leading to a significant and potentially protective, antibody titre in the neonatal bloodstream.
Currently, there are limited data on the safety of COVID-19 vaccine from animal developmental and reproductive toxicity studies.
What is the current recommendation from the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada (SOGC) regarding COVID-19 vaccination in pregnancy?
SOGC Statement on COVID-19 Vaccination in Pregnancy
Pregnant individuals should be offered vaccination at any time during pregnancy or while breastfeeding if no contraindications exist. The SOGC supports the use of all available COVID-19 vaccines approved in Canada in any trimester of pregnancy and during breastfeeding in accordance with regional eligibility. The decision to be vaccinated is based on the individual’s personal values, as well as an understanding that the risk of infection and/or morbidity from COVID-19 outweighs the theorized and undescribed risk of being vaccinated during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. Individuals should not be precluded from vaccination based on pregnancy status or breastfeeding. Given that pregnant people are at increased risk of morbidity from COVID-19 infection, all pregnant persons should be eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccination.
What is the Canadian Fertility and Andrology Society’s (CFAS) position regarding COVID-19 vaccination in individuals intending to conceive?
The CFAS recommends that all individuals who are pregnant or those who intend to conceive should receive the COVID-19 vaccination.
The COVID-19 mRNA vaccines are not composed of live virus; therefore, they are not thought to cause an increased risk of infertility, first or second trimester loss, stillbirth, or congenital anomalies.
Preliminary data shows the presence of SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies in umbilical cord blood of babies born to mothers who have received the COVID-19 vaccine during pregnancy. Additionally, SARS-CoV-2 antibodies are present in human breast milk post-vaccination, suggesting that vaccination during pregnancy and the postpartum while breastfeeding can protect the fetus and newborn.
What is the current recommendation from the Government of Alberta regarding COVID-19 vaccination?
Individuals contemplating COVID-19 immunization in pregnancy can refer to this resource for further information: COVID-19 Immunization in Pregnancy: What you need to know
All Albertans 5 years or older can now get vaccinated. Vaccine appointments can be booked online or by calling 811: Alberta Health Services: COVID-19 Immunization Booking
Excerpt from Chief Medical Officer of Health COVID-19 update Sept 9, 2021:
COVID-19 has not made this any easier, and I know there is a lot of misinformation circulating about whether those who are pregnant, or trying to become pregnant, should get COVID-19 vaccines.
I would like to be clear that there is no evidence of harm from mRNA COVID-19 vaccines for those who are pregnant or breastfeeding.
The National Advisory Committee on Immunization and the Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada recommend that those who are pregnant get a complete series of vaccine.
This is because those who are pregnant are at a high risk of severe outcomes due to COVID-19.
In August alone, six pregnant Albertans were admitted to ICU due to COVID-19. All of them were unvaccinated.
To put this into context, only seven pregnant Albertans were admitted to ICU for COVID treatment during the entire first year of the pandemic from March 2020 to March 2021.
In the six cases we saw last month, not only has COVID had severe impacts on the parent’s health, but also the child’s – five pre-term births occurred, as early as 29 weeks.
If you are pregnant, trying to become pregnant, or have recently delivered, please get both doses of COVID-19 vaccine as soon as possible, to offer you and your family the best protection possible.
I also want to be clear that there is no evidence that COVID-19 vaccines cause fertility problems.
Studies evaluating male and female fertility metrics after COVID-19 vaccines have not identified any harms to reproductive health, so COVID vaccine is also a good proactive step to take even before pregnancy.”
What information is available regarding individuals who elected to receive the COVID-19 vaccine while pregnant?
Can I take the influenza, chicken pox, Rubella (MMR) or other vaccines with the COVID-19 vaccine?
You are advised to wait for a period of at least 28 days after each vaccine dose of an mRNA or viral vector COVID-19 vaccine before the administration of another vaccine, except in the case where another vaccine is required urgently for post-exposure prophylaxis.
You should wait at least 14 days after the administration of another vaccine before administrating a COVID-19 vaccine.
Time-sensitive interventions such as administration of anti-D immunoglobulin (eg. WinRho®, RhoGAM®) and blood products should not be delayed on account of recent COVID-19 vaccination and could be given simultaneously.