Pregnant women were not included in Covid-19 vaccine trials. The FDA is unlikely to recommend vaccine administration in pregnancy or lactation because the major clinical trials did not evaluate this population. Pregnancy safety data will come later on gathered from retrospective data analysis as vaccine recipients become pregnant. Supportive data would then lead to bridge studies.

Much remains unknown about the novel coronavirus’s effects on pregnant women and babies. New research shows most pregnant women with Covid-19 do well but have an increased risk of ICU admission and preterm labor.

FDA approved Covid-19 vaccines for pregnant women may be a long way off. Our best way to protect our pregnant patients is to remember the small personal sacrifices we make to protect others.