Miscarriage risk following COVID vaccine the same as without

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recently published a new analysis, showing the cumulative risk of miscarriage after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine was 13%, which is the normal risk for miscarriage in any pregnancy. The CDC states, “These preliminary findings are reassuring and can help inform discussions about COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy between pregnant people and their healthcare providers.”

Dr. Nicole Barbee of the Gundersen Health Clinic in Waukon who delivers babies at Veterans Memorial Hospital, confirms, “The risk of miscarriage is no higher in the vaccine group and is the exact same as baseline miscarriage risk.”

Clinicians have seen the number of pregnant people infected with COVID-19 rise in the past several weeks. Based on this new evidence and the safety of COVID-19 vaccines, the CDC is strengthening its recommendation for COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy. The increased circulation of the highly contagious Delta variant, low vaccine uptake among pregnant people, and increased risk of severe illness and pregnancy complications related to COVID-19 infection among pregnant people make vaccination for this population more urgent than ever.

COVID-19 vaccination is recommended for all people aged 12 years and older, including people who are pregnant, breastfeeding, trying to get pregnant now, or might become pregnant in the future.

For more information, contact Veterans Memorial Hospital Community and Home Care Allamakee Public Health at 563-568-5660.