Researchers from the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, known as the CDC, have found that vaccinating a pregnant person against COVID during pregnancy can help shield the newborn from infection after birth. This insight appears on the HKM website and reflects findings that matter to families across Canada and the United States as they consider how best to protect infants who cannot yet be vaccinated themselves.
Newborns under six months of age cannot receive the COVID-19 vaccine, which makes them especially vulnerable to infection and its potential complications. CDC studies show that when a mother receives a COVID-19 vaccine during pregnancy, the infant’s risk of severe disease and hospitalization in the first months of life declines. In babies aged three to five months, the data indicate a noticeable drop in hospitalization risk and protection remains meaningful through early infancy. The presence of maternal antibodies, transmitted across the placenta, has been detected in umbilical cord blood, offering the newborn a layer of defense even before vaccines become available to the infant themselves.
While the absolute risk of any adverse outcome is small, pregnancy coupled with a COVID-19 infection can raise the likelihood of complications such as stillbirth for some individuals. Health authorities in the United States and Canada emphasize the value of preventive measures during pregnancy, including the timely administration of vaccines that protect both the mother and the baby. In the United States, recommendations also support vaccination against other threats that can affect both the mother and infant, including pertussis and respiratory viruses, to maximize protection for newborns as they grow.
The CDC and other public health researchers note that these findings align with additional research indicating that maternal COVID-19 vaccination helps protect babies during the first three months to the first three months and a half of life. This growing body of evidence reinforces the idea that safeguarding maternal health during pregnancy translates into real benefits for infants during a vulnerable period when their own immune systems are still developing.
It is important to recognize that physicians and public health professionals continue to monitor data on maternal vaccination, newborn outcomes, and overall infant health. Families are encouraged to discuss pregnancy vaccination with their healthcare providers, weighing benefits for the child with any personal medical considerations. The broader public health message remains clear: protecting pregnant people from COVID-19 and other preventable infections helps safeguard the health of newborns in the early months after birth, both in Canada and the United States.
In summary, vaccination during pregnancy provides a pathway to reduce the risk of infant COVID-19 infection and related hospitalizations during the first months of life. The evidence continues to build, supporting a strategy that protects both mother and child during this critical period of development and resilience.
Finally, ongoing research continues to explore how maternal antibodies influence infant responses to infections and vaccines. The aim is to refine guidance that supports healthy outcomes for newborns and to offer reassurance to expectant parents seeking the best possible protection for their children in their home country and beyond.
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