Ever since the COVID-19 pandemic first swept over the world in 2020, we’ve been inundated with information about the virus. Because of this, it has been challenging to sort the facts from myths.  For parents, getting the right information – including related to the Coronavirus vaccine for mother and child – is crucial when it comes to protecting their family’s health.

The best sources of information related to the COVID-19 virus and vaccinations are your healthcare providers and/or your government’s health website. However, this article presents a general overview of information related to the coronavirus vaccine for mother and child, identifies science-backed facts about COVID-19, and provides parents with practical tips to keep their loved ones safe and healthy.

The Coronavirus vaccine for mother and child: Essential information

Whether you are pregnant, breastfeeding or a mother of older children, you probably have many questions related to the COVID-19 vaccine. Here are your most common concerns addressed. However, always consult your healthcare provider as they can advise you more holistically, based on your medical history and preferences.

Pregnant women

There has been limited data so far on the COVID-19 vaccine for pregnant women, because when vaccine trials started, they excluded moms-to-be. But some women who participated in these early trials became pregnant during the study period and did not report harmful side effects or reactions.1

In February 2021, the first COVID-19 vaccine clinical trials involving pregnant women, commenced.2 Meanwhile, research suggests that antibodies produced by moms-to-be who get vaccinated, cross the placenta, potentially providing protection to the fetus, too.3

It is also scientifically proven that the COVID-19 vaccination cannot make you infertile4 or infect you or your fetus with the virus.1

Breastfeeding mothers

Like pregnant women, nursing moms have not been specifically included in any clinical trials of the vaccine so far. However, medical experts from around the world recommend that breastfeeding must continue even after vaccination, and should pose no harm.5, 6 There is also evidence that antibodies produced by breastfeeding moms who get the COVID-19 vaccine, may pass to their babies through breast milk, and may protect them too.7

Children

In vaccination programs around the world, the COVID-19 vaccine is not offered to children below the age of 16.

The reason why it is taking so long to develop a vaccine for children is explained by pediatric infectious disease specialist Dr. Frank Esper who says that children’s immune systems (unlike adults’) are still developing and present differently according to age8. This needs to be considered when developing a vaccine for kids, and should be done carefully and systematically, says Dr. Esper, which requires more time.

Meanwhile, the first clinical trials of the COVID-19 vaccine for children commenced in February 2021.9

The COVID-19 virus: Separating facts from myths

“Vitamins and mineral supplements can cure COVID-19”: Incorrect

Vitamins D, C, Zinc, and other micronutrients are important for a robust immune system and play a crucial role in overall health and wellbeing. But they cannot cure a COVID-19 infection.10

“Antibiotics can prevent and cure a COVID-19 infection”: Incorrect

The virus cannot be killed by an antibiotic, neither will taking an antibiotic prevent a COVD-19 infection.11

“COVID-19 vaccines are not safe because they were manufactured too fast”: Incorrect

Drug companies spent a lot of time and money to manufacture the vaccines fast to counter the pandemic. This does not mean quality was compromised, and all vaccines go through strict safety protocols before they are distributed.12

“Now that I am vaccinated against COVID-19, I don’t need to wear a mask in public”: Incorrect

It takes some time for the vaccine’s effectiveness to establish – up to a few weeks, in fact.13 During that time, you can contract the virus even if you have been vaccinated against it, and you can also spread the virus to others.14 So, you still need to wear a mask when in public.

Tips and reminders for parents and children to keep in mind in the “new normal”

  • While it is encouraging that COVID-19 vaccines are being given to global populations, parents and children still need to adhere to the basic health and safety rules of:

    • proper handwashing

    • wearing mask in public

    • sneezing and coughing into the inside of your elbow

    • hygienically disposing of used tissue and masks

    • maintaining correct social distancing of at least one meter

    • not gathering in large crowds

  • If you have further concerns about both the virus and the vaccine, you should speak to your healthcare provider about these. This includes questions about the coronavirus vaccine for mother and child and getting the shot if you have allergies.

References :

  1. “The COVID-19 Vaccine and Pregnancy: What You Need to Know.” Johns Hopkins Medicine. Updated on Feb 9, 2021. Retrieved on March 5, 2021 from https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/coronavirus/the-covid19-vaccine-and-pregnancy-what-you-need-to-know

  2. “Pfizer and Biontech commence global clinical trial to evaluate COVID-19 vaccine in pregnant women.” Pfizer. Published on Feb 18, 2021. Retrieved on March 5, 2021 from https://www.pfizer.com/news/press-release/press-release-detail/pfizer-and-biontech-commence-global-clinical-trial-evaluate

  3. “Newborn Antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 detected in cord blood after maternal vaccination.” Paul Gilbert & Chad Rudnick, MDs. Preprint in MedRxiv. Published on Feb 5, 2021. Retrieved on March 5, 2021 from https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.02.03.21250579v1.full.pdf

  4. “Why COVID Vaccines are Falsely Linked to Infertility.” WebMD. Published on Jan 12, 2021. Retrieved on March 5, 2021 from https://www.webmd.com/vaccines/covid-19-vaccine/news/20210112/why-covid-vaccines-are-falsely-linked-to-infertility

  5. “Importance of COVID vaccine during pregnancy & breastfeeding.” AMA. Published Feb 11, 2021. Retrieved on Feb 27, 2021 from https://www.ama-assn.org/delivering-care/public-health/importance-covid-vaccine-during-pregnancy-breast-feeding

  6. “Considerations for COVID-19 vaccination in lactation.” Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine. Published on Dec 14, 2020. Retrieved on March 11, 2021 from https://www.bfmed.org/abm-statement-considerations-for-covid-19-vaccination-in-lactation

  7. “SARS-CoV-2 antibodies detected in human breast milk post-vaccination.” Jill K. Baird, Shawn M. Jensen, Walter J. Urba, Bernard A. Fox, Jason R. Baird. Preprint in MedRxiv. Published on March 2, 2021. Retrieved on March 3, 2021 from https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.02.23.21252328v1

  8. “Why a COVID-19 vaccine for children may take longer.” Cleveland Clinic. Published on Feb 12, 2021. Retrieved on March 11, 2021 from https://health.clevelandclinic.org/why-a-covid-19-vaccine-for-children-may-take-awhile/

  9. “First children’s COVID-19 vaccine trial open.” NIHR. Published on Feb 15, 2021. Retrieved on March 5, 2021 from https://www.nihr.ac.uk/news/first-childrens-covid-19-vaccine-trial-open/26870

  10. “Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) advice for the public: Mythbusters.” WHO. Published Nov 23, 2020. Retrieved on March 4, 2021 from https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public/myth-busters

  11. “COVID-19: Myths and facts.” Retrieved on March 4, 2021 from https://www.georgeinstitute.org/sites/default/files/documents/c19-myths_0.pdf

  12. “COVID-19 myths you shouldn’t believe.” WebMD. Retrieved on March 4, 2021 from https://www.webmd.com/lung/ss/slideshow-covid-myths

  13. “Safety and Efficacy of the BNT162b2 mRNA Covid-19 Vaccine.” The New England Journal of Medicine. Published Dec 10, 2020. Retrieved on March 3, 2021 from https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2034577

  14. “Why You Should Still Wear A Mask And Avoid Crowds After Getting The COVID-19 Vaccine.” NPR. Published Jan 12, 2021. Retrieved on March 3, 2021 from https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2021/01/12/956051995/why-you-should-still-wear-a-mask-and-avoid-crowds-after-getting-the-covid-19-vac