Information on the coronavirus vaccine
The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are both mRNA vaccines that do not contain live virus. Both vaccines require a two-injection series at 21-day (Pfizer-BioNTech) or 28-day (Moderna) intervals. The vaccines deliver mRNA into cells near the injection site. This mRNA instructs the body’s own cells to replicate the coronavirus’s spike (S) protein. This protein, in turn, is recognized by the body as foreign, generating protective antibodies to help fight an infection if the real virus does enter the body in the future. The mRNA itself is rapidly degraded and does not enter the cell’s nucleus.
Rarely, some individuals are allergic to a part of the vaccine known as polyethylene glycol (PEG), a common component in other injectable medicines.
COVID-19 vaccine and pregnancy
Many women who are pregnant or contemplating pregnancy have additional risk factors such as obesity, hypertension or diabetes which may further increase the chance of severe disease from COVID-19 infection.
For these reasons the ASRM, American Society for Reproductive Medicine, Task Force does not recommend withholding the vaccine from patients who are planning to conceive, who are currently pregnant, or who are lactating. These recommendations are in line with those of the Advisory Committee for Immunization Practices (ACIP) of the U.S. Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC), the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM).
Patients undergoing fertility treatment and pregnant patients should be encouraged to receive the vaccination based on eligibility criteria. Since the vaccine is not a live virus, there is no reason to delay pregnancy attempts because of vaccination administration or to defer treatment until the second dose has been administered.
COVID-19 patient updates:
- COVID-19 Vaccine and Pregnancy FAQ, our advice for pregnant women or those considering pregnancy.
- COVID-19 Update from Your RSCNJ Family, a letter to our patients.
- Coronavirus Update, notice for patients who are undergoing infertility therapy or desiring pregnancy.
- Coronavirus Patient Update, an update from your RSCNJ family.