by Maysam El khatatbeh

Some pregnant women are refusing to take the Covid-19 vaccine because of fears about its potential impact on their babies, according to a leading women’s health doctor.

Although there is no evidence that the vaccine is harmful to pregnant women, Dr Aseel Almajed, a GP who specialises in gynaecology, says that some pregnant women fear that the vaccine might harm their fertility. Dr Aseel warned that these misconceptions about vaccination make them lose confidence, which consequently deters them from getting the vaccine and taking a booster dose.

Many obstetricians and gynaecologists encourage pregnant women to take the vaccine because it is considered the first line of protection for them and the fetus.

“Covid has many fatal complications, especially for vulnerable people (old age, pregnant, immunocompromised),” said Dr Almajed. “So, to avoid complications, it is necessary to take the vaccine as vaccination also may help protect the fetus through antibodies that transfer from mother to baby.”

In addition, she said that the vaccine can give immunity for 3-6 months, adding that: “We always advise people to take the vaccine and follow the advice of National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC), and take the booster dose when it is available to give good protection.”

NIAC recommends that pregnant women receive an mRNA vaccine (Pfizer and Modern, typo). In addition, they should receive a booster dose at 16 weeks of pregnancy, as it protects the mother and provides the best benefit to the baby.

According to the HSE, “COVID-19 is a risk to your health and your baby’s health.  Pregnant women are more likely to get very unwell and need treatment in intensive care than those who are not pregnant. The virus may also cause complications for your baby, including premature labour or stillbirth.”

Raefah Sadwen, who is six months pregnant, said: “ I think that the Covid-19 vaccine is unsafe, and it presents a threat to the lives of the mother, and it has many side effects in the foreseeable future, and women should think about their baby before taking it because it may cause fetal deformities.”

she also explained: “I reckon it is a woman’s freedom to choose whether or not to get the vaccine because it is her private life, and no one may force her to take it.”

Sally Anne, a TU Dublin student, said she would take a booster and had three total doses.

She added: “COVID-19 is a horrible thing. It has both short-term and long-term side effects, so is there anything we can do to mitigate those side effects to prevent this from spreading?

We should all be rolling our sleeves and getting COVID-19 booster shots.”

Healthcare institutions in Ireland offer guidelines to people about how they can protect their immunity against infection from COVID-19 and protect themselves from a severe illness. 

The World Health Organization encourages vaccination and is implementing many campaigns to raise awareness of the danger of the virus to maternal health.

According to the HSE: “There is no evidence that COVID-19 vaccination affects  female fertility and or any link to an irregular period.” The Health Protection Surveillance Centre says that Ireland had recorded 1.7 million COVID-19 cases by the end of 2022.