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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