Latest news with #SOGC
Ottawa Citizen
2 days ago
- Health
- Ottawa Citizen
Canadian experts strongly recommend COVID vaccines in pregnancy amid U.S. policy changes
Article content Canadian health experts are doubling down on their support of COVID-19 vaccines for pregnant women amid U.S. policy changes announced by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. this week. Article content Article content The Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada issued a statement reaffirming that COVID-19 vaccines were both safe and recommended during pregnancy and breastfeeding and urging people to make vaccine decisions based on science and expertise. Article content Article content 'In an age of growing misinformation and disinformation, the SOGC strongly urges that vaccine decisions, including during pregnancy, be guided by evidence-based science and clinical expertise.' Article content Article content Pregnant women with COVID-19 are more likely to end up in hospital, need intensive care or require ventilators compared to other women of the same age who are not pregnant, the SOGC statement said. 'Receiving the COVID-19 vaccine helps lower the chances of serious complications for pregnant women, including intensive care admission, the need for a ventilator, preterm birth and death.' Article content The extraordinary statement from the organization underscores the concern about the potential impact of some U.S. health policy changes on vaccine uptake and understanding in Canada as well as the United States. Article content Kennedy's announcement that the COVID-19 vaccine would no longer be recommended for pregnant women and healthy children was met with concern by many health officials in the U.S. and beyond. Article content Article content The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists said it was extremely disappointed by the announcement, adding 'we have seen firsthand how dangerous COVID-19 infection can be during pregnancy and for newborns who depend on maternal antibodies from the vaccine for protection.' Article content Article content Dr. Darine El-Chaar, a maternal-fetal medicine physician at The Ottawa Hospital, said the U.S. policy was not based on any scientific evidence or medical concerns. Article content 'There is no clinical or scientific reason.' Article content She said another key concern was how much misinformation and confusion the U.S. policy change could create, possibly leading to vaccine hesitation around COVID-19 and other vaccines recommended during pregnancy to protect mothers and babies. Those include vaccines for influenza, RSV and whooping cough. Article content
Global News
3 days ago
- Health
- Global News
COVID shot is safe during pregnancy, Canadian doctors say after U.S. move
Canada's gynecologists say COVID-19 vaccination 'remains safe and strongly recommended' during pregnancy and while breastfeeding. The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada issued the assurance Wednesday, a day after U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. — a longtime anti-vaccine activist — declared the shot is no longer recommended for healthy children and pregnant women south of the border. Pregnant women who become infected with COVID-19 are at higher risk of severe illness requiring hospitalization and intensive care than women who are not pregnant, the SOGC said. Getting the COVID-19 vaccine also helps protect against serious complications associated with the virus, such as preterm birth, it said. 'We have mounting, increasing scientific evidence about the impact of COVID-19 infection or other respiratory viruses on pregnant people and how vaccination does reduce that,' Dr. Darine El-Chaar, a maternal fetal medicine specialist at The Ottawa Hospital said in an interview. Story continues below advertisement El-Chaar, who was also speaking on behalf of the SOGC, said pregnant women remain a priority population for COVID vaccination in Canada and that the shot also provides some immunity against the virus for the baby. 4:33 Health Matters: COVID-19 Vaccine Registry for 2023 Pregnancies Kennedy's move to discontinue the shot in the U.S. is not based on any medical evidence, she said. Get weekly health news Receive the latest medical news and health information delivered to you every Sunday. Sign up for weekly health newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy 'There's been no study, there's been no clinical trial, no follow-up studies that have suggested any adverse outcomes or impact from COVID-19 vaccination in pregnant populations or infants … that would scientifically influence the decision made by the authorities in the U.S.,' she said. Citing 'an age of growing misinformation and disinformation,' the SOGC urged women and health-care providers to rely on 'evidence-based science and clinical expertise' to make vaccine decisions. El-Chaar said that it was important for the group to issue a statement to reassure pregnant women in Canada who see U.S. misinformation on the news or in social media. Story continues below advertisement Pregnant women should get a COVID-19 shot, especially if they had their last vaccination more than six months ago, she said. 'I talk about 'one vaccine, two lives.' You're protecting the mom and the baby,' El-Chaar said. —With files from The Associated Press.
CTV News
3 days ago
- General
- CTV News
COVID vaccine ‘strongly recommended' during pregnancy, Canadian doctors say
A doctor uses a hand-held Doppler probe on a pregnant woman to measure the heartbeat of the fetus, Dec. 17, 2021, in Jackson, Miss. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Rogelio V. Solis TORONTO — Canada's gynecologists say COVID-19 vaccination is 'strongly recommended' during pregnancy and while breastfeeding. The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada issued the statement Wednesday, a day after U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. declared the shot no longer recommended for healthy children and pregnant women south of the border. The Canadian group says pregnant women who become infected with COVID-19 are more likely to be hospitalized and require intensive care than women who are not pregnant. They also say getting vaccinated helps protect against serious complications associated with the virus, such as preterm birth. Citing 'an age of growing misinformation and disinformation,' the statement urges women and health-care providers to rely on 'evidence-based science and clinical expertise' to make vaccine decisions. Kennedy has long been a prominent anti-vaccine activist in the United States. — With files from The Associated Press. This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 28, 2025. Canadian Press health coverage receives support through a partnership with the Canadian Medical Association. CP is solely responsible for this content. Nicole Ireland, The Canadian Press
Cision Canada
13-05-2025
- Health
- Cision Canada
SOGC Congratulates New Cabinet, Urges Action on Women's Health Français
OTTAWA, ON, May 13, 2025 /CNW/ - The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada (SOGC) congratulates Prime Minister and Canada's newly sworn-in Cabinet. We look forward to working with the Honourable Marjorie Michel, Minister of Health, and the Honourable Rechie Valdez, Minister for Women and Gender Equality, to make women's health a cornerstone of Canada's future. Women's health is not a side issue — it's central to economic growth, workforce participation and national resilience. If Canada wants to unlock the full potential of its population and lead in the new economy, it must invest in the health of half its population. The SOGC is ready to help implement the government's 2025 platform commitments on women's health, including: continuing to make contraception free for all Canadian women through pharmacare; the rollout of a new national IVF program and improved postpartum and maternal care. To help fulfil the government's pledge to improve women's health data, the SOGC calls for a National Dashboard on Women's Health. Canada lacks a national framework to track key indicators like pregnancy outcomes, stillbirths, maternal mortality and chronic conditions. A dashboard developed with provinces and territories would help highlight obscured disparities and identify areas in need of targeted investment, especially for groups most often underserved in the health system, including Black and Indigenous women and newcomers to Canada. The SOGC also hopes to work with government to expand public coverage of menopause hormone therapy and reduce significant wait times for maternal care and gynaecologic and obstetric surgeries through scaled up tech-enabled care, AI solutions and pan-Canadian licensure for care providers. "We want to help build a health system that works for all women, no matter their background, income or where they live. As a trusted voice in women's health, the SOGC is eager to work alongside the new government. We're ready to bring our clinical, research and educational expertise to the table to help shape policies that truly reflect the needs and lived experiences of women across Canada." – Dr. Lynn Murphy-Kaulbeck, President, Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
SOGC Congratulates New Cabinet, Urges Action on Women's Health
OTTAWA, ON, May 13, 2025 /CNW/ - The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada (SOGC) congratulates Prime Minister Mark Carney and Canada's newly sworn-in Cabinet. We look forward to working with the Honourable Marjorie Michel, Minister of Health, and the Honourable Rechie Valdez, Minister for Women and Gender Equality, to make women's health a cornerstone of Canada's future. Women's health is not a side issue — it's central to economic growth, workforce participation and national resilience. If Canada wants to unlock the full potential of its population and lead in the new economy, it must invest in the health of half its population. The SOGC is ready to help implement the government's 2025 platform commitments on women's health, including: continuing to make contraception free for all Canadian women through pharmacare; the rollout of a new national IVF program and improved postpartum and maternal care. To help fulfil the government's pledge to improve women's health data, the SOGC calls for a National Dashboard on Women's Health. Canada lacks a national framework to track key indicators like pregnancy outcomes, stillbirths, maternal mortality and chronic conditions. A dashboard developed with provinces and territories would help highlight obscured disparities and identify areas in need of targeted investment, especially for groups most often underserved in the health system, including Black and Indigenous women and newcomers to Canada. The SOGC also hopes to work with government to expand public coverage of menopause hormone therapy and reduce significant wait times for maternal care and gynaecologic and obstetric surgeries through scaled up tech-enabled care, AI solutions and pan-Canadian licensure for care providers. "We want to help build a health system that works for all women, no matter their background, income or where they live. As a trusted voice in women's health, the SOGC is eager to work alongside the new government. We're ready to bring our clinical, research and educational expertise to the table to help shape policies that truly reflect the needs and lived experiences of women across Canada." – Dr. Lynn Murphy-Kaulbeck, President, Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada SOURCE The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada View original content to download multimedia:
