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| source : uchicagomedicine.org |
When I first heard that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) quietly removed its recommendation for COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy, my jaw kinda dropped. As someone who’s followed the pandemic research closely, especially around maternal health, this decision felt… off. So, I did what any health-curious, research-obsessed writer would do: I dug deeper.
What I found paints a very different picture than the headlines. And if you’re pregnant, planning to be, or know someone who is, it’s worth breaking this down calmly and clearly.
So, what exactly did HHS change?
HHS recently stopped actively recommending that pregnant people receive the COVID-19 vaccine. They sent lawmakers a memo pointing to certain studies that, at first glance, seemed to raise concerns, specifically about miscarriage risk if the vaccine is given before 20 weeks.
But here’s where things get murky: most of those studies didn’t actually find a harmful link. In fact, several of the researchers cited by HHS have since spoken out, saying their work was misinterpreted.
Let’s unpack that.
The Miscarriage Claim: What the Data Really Says
Take the 2023 Canadian study, for example. It initially found a slightly higher miscarriage rate in vaccinated pregnancies, that’s what HHS pointed to.
But here's the thing: that was the raw data.
When researchers adjusted for major variables like age, income level, comorbidities, and when exactly during pregnancy the shot was received, there was no increased risk of miscarriage. None. The lead researcher, Dr. Maria Velez, even had to clarify this in public, saying their results were taken out of context.
Epidemiologists like Dr. Katelyn Jetelina backed this up: “That’s why we adjust for confounding factors, because raw numbers don’t tell the full story.”
What About Fertility and IVF Outcomes?
Another study from Mount Sinai in New York looked at people undergoing IVF and found no difference in early pregnancy outcomes or chances of conception post-vaccine.
Translation: getting the mRNA vaccine didn’t mess with fertility or IVF success rates.
So Why Did HHS Change Its Guidance?
That’s where the controversy thickens.
Some experts, including those within the CDC and vaccine advisory boards, say this move was political, not scientific. Dr. Paul Offit, a respected vaccine expert, bluntly said HHS' stance contradicts the bulk of published data.
Even more troubling: HHS didn’t follow its usual process. They bypassed the panel of independent experts who usually help guide these kinds of decisions. That’s raised eyebrows across the scientific and medical communities.
What Obstetricians Are Saying
Doctors who work with pregnant patients every day are not thrilled. Dr. Steven Fleischman, president of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, put it plainly:
“Vaccination during pregnancy doesn’t just protect the mother, it protects the baby, too.”
That’s especially important because newborns under 6 months aren’t eligible for vaccination yet. But when mom gets the shot, she passes antibodies to the baby, giving them critical protection during those first vulnerable months.
So… Should You Get the COVID Vaccine During Pregnancy?
Here’s my personal take, backed by what I’ve researched:
If you're pregnant or planning to be, talk to your doctor, not just TikTok or clickbait headlines.
The majority of large, peer-reviewed studies from the U.S., Canada, Norway, and Scotland show no increased risk of miscarriage, infertility, or poor birth outcomes from the COVID-19 vaccine. In fact, they show protection, for both mom and baby.
Yes, vaccine decisions during pregnancy are deeply personal. But they should be informed by clear, accurate science, not cherry-picked data.
Final Thoughts
I get it. When health agencies flip-flop or miscommunicate, it creates distrust. But that makes it even more important for us, the public, to seek clarity, ask questions, and follow the actual evidence.
Vaccination during pregnancy is still widely supported by the medical and scientific communities. And while there’s always room for ongoing research (especially around timing and trimester-specific effects), the takeaway remains: COVID is riskier than the vaccine, especially if you’re pregnant.
And that’s a fact worth sharing, calmly, confidently, and compassionately.