Covid-19: Pregnant Singaporean women reluctant to get the vaccine

Ladies, are you considering getting Covid vaccine while pregnant? Well, if you have given it a thought but are still sceptical, you are not alone. 

Take the case of 32-year-old Sarah Wang.* The successful software engineer  — who is is expecting her first baby this year — is concerned about getting the jab. Perhaps even more than her pregnancy.

"Of course, I worry about my baby. And that's why I am worried about the vaccine's effect on my baby's growth. So right now I have decided to wait before I take the plunge," she told theAsianparent. 

Wang is one of the many expecting women in Singapore who have decided to take the 'wait and watch' route. This, even though authorities have said the vaccine is safe for pregnant women and lactating mums.

Expecting and lactating mums are concerned about getting vaccinated

From Friday (June 4), registration for vaccination will be open for pregnant women. But it seems that not every woman is willing to get the Covid-19 vaccine while they're pregnant. 

Even while breastfeeding mums have been given the green light to be vaccinated, there are still those who are wary of receiving the jab. 

While there is no evidence that suggests the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna Covid-19 vaccines are harmful to pregnant woman or their babies. The fact is that there is currently limited data on the safety of the Covid-19 vaccine for women who are pregnant or lactating.

This is perhaps why expectant mums may still be hesitant and are more concerned about the possible complications the vaccine may bring.

As Wang says, "I have no doubt that it works. But I just don't want to take a chance on the 10-15 per cent odds that it might not work." 

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Gynaecologists and infectious disease experts have acknowledged the concerns pregnant and lactating women have about getting the vaccine.

But these experts have stressed that the risk of getting Covid-19 during pregnancy outweighs the potential risks from getting vaccinated.

As the Centres for Disease Control And Prevention (CDC) puts it, "If you are pregnant, you can receive a Covid-19 vaccine. Getting a Covid-19 vaccine during pregnancy can protect you from severe illness from Covid-19. If you have questions about getting vaccinated, a conversation with your healthcare provider might help, but is not required for vaccination." 

Pregnant women at higher risk of complications if infected with Covid-19

Associate Professor Tan Lay Kok from KK Women's and Children's Hospital (KKH) tells Today that there is strong evidence that puts pregnant woman at a higher risk of developing serious and critical complications, if infected.

Such conditions may even lead them to require invasive ventilation and admission into intensive care units. This was especially true during the second wave of Covid-19 infection in United Kingdom. 

"Moreover, the symptomatic infected pregnant women have twice the risk of delivering premature babies, which increases the risk of neonatal admissions for intensive care," adds Tan.

No evidence to support risk from getting the Covid-19 vaccine while pregnant

The Ministry of Health's (MOH) expert committee recently gave a go-ahead for pregnant and nursing mums in Singapore to get the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines.

This was done after their review on real-world clinical data in relation to expectant mothers in countries with extensive Covid-19 transmission. 

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"Studies have been done to monitor women who were pregnant when they were vaccinated and their babies," said the expert committee.

The study involved 3,958 women at different trimesters of their pregnancy. There were also some of them who were in the pre-conception period.

"These studies were examined by the committee, and there is no evidence to suggest that the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna Covid-19 vaccine cause harm to pregnant women or their babies," experts added.

Experts also noted that no vaccine-related side effects have been reported in nursing mums who breastfed their babies after getting vaccinated.

There is also no need to stop breastfeeding your child when you receive the vaccine.

Benefits of Covid-19 vaccine while pregnant and lactating

While data on the safety of the Covi-19 vaccine while pregnant and nursing is limited so far, experts have found many benefits to receiving vaccination. 

The benefits of getting the Covid-19 vaccine while you're pregnant and breastfeeding are:

1. Reduces the risk of severe diseases and other pregnancy complications

Senior consultant of obstetrics and gynaecology at Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital Dr Khoo Chong Kiat says the vaccine can reduce the risk of severe disease for pregnant women.

It can also help lower the chances of some complications such as stillbirth and premature birth.

2. Receiving the vaccine can pass antibodies to your unborn child

Recent studies have also found that women who get the Covid-19 vaccine while pregnant are able to pass on antibodies to their baby, helping to protect them after birth. 

ALSO READ: Death risk higher from UK virus variant; vaccine in pregnancy may protect newborns

3. It reduces the risk of transmission to others

Of course, getting the vaccine helps in slowing down the transmission of Covid-19 to those around you. Vaccinated pregnant woman can also protect vulnerable household members such as children or the elderly.

4. Breastfeeding mums can also pass on antibodies through their breast milk

Some findings also suggest that breast milk of vaccinated lactating mothers contain Covid-19 antibodies that can help protect their baby. Further research is still needed but it is still advised that mums don't stop breastfeeding. 

However, it is still highly advised that pregnant women consult with their obstetricians or healthcare professionals regarding getting the vaccine to make an informed decision.

*Name changed on request. 

This article was first published in theAsianparent.